P-3K2 Orion Progress Report

Update: August 2011

The prototype aircraft, Orion NZ4204, has been provisionally accepted by the Crown and is undergoing Depot Level Maintenance at SAFEAIR Blenheim. In the last quarter of 2011 it will commence a first phase of Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) in order to characterise the system ahead of converting the first two legacy P-3K crews of No. 5 Squadron on to type.

The first production airframe, NZ4201, was inducted into Safe Air Ltd at Blenheim in June 2009 and is well down the path of modification to the P-3K2 standard. Once modified, this aircraft will also undergo depot level maintenance before becoming available for OT&E in early 2012.

Back in New Zealand, progress towards supporting the new capabilities that the P-3K2 will deliver continues to be developed. This includes the development of communications and mission support infrastructure. Additionally, training development continues in preparation for the transition of current P-3K crews to the new systems as well as development of future aircrew operational conversion courses and ground crew maintenance courses. A new Radar Training simulator has also been commissioned to aid in training. The Radar Trainer was built by BECA and is already proving to be a most valuable training tool.

P-3K2 Upgraded Tactical Rail Sensor and Sensor Employment Manager Stations

P-3K2 Upgraded Tactical Rail Sensor and Sensor Employment Manager Stations The P-3K2 is a whole of government project and the system, when operational, will provide support to a wide range of other government departments. The mission system is very flexible and the platform has the potential to support more than one task/agency at any one time. Because of its complexity and the limited exposure the Air Force has had to the system up until now, it will be necessary to conduct in depth OT&E over a two year period, interspersed with conversion training of existing crews, to gradually build up the capability of the system.

P-3K Orion Specifications

Manufacturer: Lockheed (USA)
Powered plant: Four Allison T56-A 14
engines, (4,600 shaft
horsepower).
Length: 36m (117ft)
Wingspan: 30.4m (99ft)
Height: 10.3m (34ft)
Basic weight: 30,450kgs (67,000lbs)
Gross weight: 54,950kgs (127,500lbs)
Max fuel: 27300kgs (60,000lbs)
Cruising speed: 630km/h (340kts)