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P-3K2 Orion

New Zealand’s Airborne Surveillance and Response Force (ASRF) is provided by No. 5 Squadron. Our Air Force is equipped with six Lockheed P-3K2 Orion aircraft, each having undergone various airframe and mission system upgrades since their introduction in the 1960s. No.5 Squadron’s operational crews typically have 12 personnel comprised of pilots, flight engineers, air warfare officers, air warfare specialists and an air ordnance specialist.

A P-3K2 Orion aircraft flying over the ocean A P-3K2 Orion aircraft practising Search and Rescue in the Hauraki Gulf A worms eye view of an Orion aircraft (left) and Boeing aircraft (right) formation flying

The Orion aircraft conducts a range of tasks including aerial surveillance of New Zealand’s areas of interest such as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the South Pacific and the Southern Ocean including the Ross Dependency and Antarctica. They support a range of Government agencies, including Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Customs, New Zealand Police, and the Department of Conservation. They support the community and our neighbours 24/7 for 365 days of the year with contingency capability for tasks such as search and rescue and support in the event of natural disasters.

Fleet history

Our Air Force took delivery of five P-3B Orions in 1966 (NZ4201 – NZ4205). In 1985 an ex-RAAF P-3B was purchased (NZ4206). All six aircraft were upgraded (avionics and radio systems) under project RIGEL in the early 1980’s and the re-designation P-3K was applied to these aircraft. Following this, the aircraft were re-winged under project KESTRAL extending their service life. Since going through the latest upgrade program to modernise navigation, mission and communications, the aircraft are now designated the P-3K2. Our Air Force will begin retiring the P-3K2 Orions over the next few years as the squadron transitions to operating the Boeing P-8A Poseidon.

Specifications

Aircraft

P-3K2 Orion 

Manufacturer

Lockheed (USA)

Power plant

Four Allison T56-A 14 engines, (4,600 shaft horsepower)

Length

36m (117ft)

Wingspan

30.4m (99ft)

Height

10.3m (34ft) 

Basic weight

30,450kg (67,000lb)

Gross weight

54,950kg (127,500lb)

Max Fuel

27,300kg (60,000lb) 

Cruising speed

630km/h (340kts)

Ferry range Approx

7,100km (3,850nm)

Typical performance

Radius of action of 1,850km (1,000nm) with four hours on station. Endurance of 15 hrs with two engines shut down to conserve fuel. 

Standard crew

Two pilots, two flight engineers, three air warfare officers (tactical coordinator, information manager, systems employment manager), four air warfare specialists and one air ordnance specialist.