Description: Lockheed four-engine propeller aircraft used as a surface surveillance, typically COMINT/SIGINT/RADINT.Features: The EP-3E is a land-based, long range Signals Intelligence (SIGNIT) surveillance aircraft. The avionics system is integrated by a general purpose digital computer that supports all of the tactical displays, monitors and provides flight information to the pilots. In addition, the system coordinates navigation information and accepts sensor data inputs for tactical display and storage.
The EP-3E is a variant of the extremely reliable and venerable P-3C Orion Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft that has been flying for decades.
Background: In February 1959, the Navy awarded Lockheed a contract to develop a replacement for the aging P-2 Neptune. The P-3V Orion entered the inventory in July 1962, and over 30 years later it remains the Navy's sole land-based antisubmarine warfare aircraft. It has gone through one designation change (P-3V to P-3) and three major models: P-3A, P-3B, and P-3C, the latter being the only one now in active service. The last Navy P-3 came off the production line at the Lockheed plant in April 1990.
As of March of 2001, there are thought to only be 12 EP-3 variants in service, two separate six aircraft squadrons, one nominally based at Whidby Island, Washington, the other at Rota Air Base in Spain.
Primary Function: Long Range SIGINT Reconnaissance
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems Company
Unit Cost: $36 million (FY 1987)
Propulsion: Four Allison T-56-A-14 turboprop engines (4,600 shaft horsepower each)
Length: 105 feet
Wingspan: 99 feet 7 inches
Height: 34 feet
Weight: Max gross take-off: 139,760 pounds (62,892 kg)
Speed: maximum - 405 knots (466 mph, 745 kmph); cruise - 350 knots (403 mph, 644 kmph)
Ceiling: 30,000 feet (9,000 meters)
Range:Typical mission: 10-12 hours duration; Maximum endurance: 14 hours
Crew: Two Flight crews: 8, Survelliance: up to 16
Armament: Unarmed