Can nothing kill the P-3C Orion?

Flight Global ^ | November 10, 2010 | Stephen Trimble

[sukhoi-30mki]

Can nothing kill the P-3C Orion?

By Stephen Trimble on November 10, 2010

I am reporting in next week's magazine that a subset of the P-3C Orion fleet will outlive its planned retirement by the Boeing 737-based P-8A Poseidon. I'll post the link to the article here when it's available.

I consider the story a testament to the P-3C's record of freakish survival skills.

Adapted from the doomed, 1950s-era Lockheed L-188 Electra airliner, the Orion first survived its predecessor's untimely demise in the regional airliner market. It should have been replaced by the Lockheed P-7 in the early 1990s, but the P-7's setbacks and budget cuts kept the P-3C alive for at least another 30 years. Then, a series of inspections starting about 10 years ago nearly forced the navy to ground the entire fleet due to surprise revelations of fatigue damage. A rushed repair job called the special structural inspection kit (SSIK) kept about half the P-3C fleet in the air. But even that proved insufficient. During the last five years, wing inspections revealed shocking damage caused by corrosion and fatigue. By September 2009, all but 49 of the 120 combat-coded P-3C fleet was grounded. Only a furious effort by Naval Air Systems Command, led by P-3 sustainment lead Bob Holmes, allowed the navy to restore 33 Orions to flying status as of late October. Meanwhile, the navy is quietly investing to rewing at least 29 P-3Cs, allowing a subset of the Orion fleet to remain airworthy long after it is scheduled to be replaced by the P-8A.

Reports of the P-3C fleets demise, despite averaging 16,500 flying hours on an airframe designed to survive 7,500, are truly exaggerated.

[I cannot think of a name]

Look at the picture. They didn't think any pilot over 35 could handle three pieces of tail at once.

A real old joke from when Constellations were flown by the airlines.

[Enchante]

well I suppose we are lucky not to be flying 1940s era flying boats, but still, geesh, can't we get something newer and better for our guys doing ASW patrols????

at least we don't make them fly in these:

PBY Catalina

Spruce Goose

I know, the "Spruce Goose" was ginormous, and not remotely intended for ASW or patrol work, but I liked the photo!

[Billthedrill]

As I recall, they were out for very long missions.

I flew a few 12-hour missions back in the 80's in my consultant days. The plane does have a head, and bunks. Good thing, too. I'm told they chase hurricanes with them now.

[BwanaNdege]

Ah ha, now I understand...

[I cannot think of a name]

Of course that was the second airline joke.

The first was, “On every flight we have TWA coffee and TWA tea.”

(Reading aloud required)

[Tainan]

As hard as it may be to believe, some countries are still trying to keep this old bird up in the air...

[BwanaNdege]

I had a 6 week deployment to Rosy Roads, PR back in 1976. My wife flew down for a week and we hitched space available seats to St Thomas on the spare parts & personnel flight.

You guessed it, a C-1 COD! My wife thought it was a hoot flying in it!

Grumman Iron Works!

[Tainan]

I agree. But man...these pigs are OLD! Trying to find repair books on systems is like trying stay sober on election day.

Re:Grumman, I have some non-driver seat time in the old Mohawks...not a bad ride from a bus company...;)

[Rummyfan]

My nephew flew a P-3 out of Brunswick 1999 - 2001.......

[60Gunner]

Ah, the old “Willie Victor.” My dad mentioned those planes. He was an aircrewman aboard the old EA3B “Whales” in VQ-1 World Watchers out of Atsugi in the early 1960s.

[Drago]

We apparently needed the West coast/Whidbey P-3 squadrons airborne on Monday at about 5pm near L.A.... WARNING: donning of Reynolds Wrap may be in order before clicking the link:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2625337/posts

[Fred Hayek]

I think Beriev still has some offerings on the market.
The flying boat would still have applications today, and even more than just ASW. Add in SAR, other maritime control, and even littoral operations. The latter would include ops teams dropoff and extraction, when the range is to far for helo. What the hey, the same was probably done with the PBY Catalinas back in WWII Pacific. The old slow Dumbo was a workhorse.

[P3_Acoustic]

Add the 2 hour preflight and a 2 hour postflight/debrief, you’re looking at a looong day. During the 80’s I was driving past VX-1 spaces at Pax River when I saw a P-3 with a black square painted on the fuselage above the cockpit. Had some dents around it. Word was that that the feasibility for inflight refueling was being tested. Ruined my day. Also at Pax in the 80’s and before, VX(N)-8 was flying hurricanes in a P-3.