MILNET: Military Information
Turboprop Aircraft
Turboprop Aircraft
Turboprop engines are basically designed around a jet engine tied to a propeller shaft. The
constant speed of a jet engine, combined with a variable speed, variable pitch propeller
makes for an extremely agile propulsion unit, as well as both an economic as well as a
efficient powerplant. Examples today are the venerable C-130 Hercules built by
Lockheed, the P-3 Orion
also built by Lockheed, and the Soviet Bear Bomber. The latter,
in production in the Soviet Union since 1954, has a max speed of over 575 mph at 41,000
feet., a range of 7,800 miles carrying 25,000 lbs of bombs and a un-refueled combat radius
of 5,150 miles. The P-3 Orion has a speed of over 473 mph and a mission radius of 2383
miles and about half the ordance load. The P-3 is probably a lot more agile in persecution
of a marine target, but the Bear, with its long range, is certainly better at protecting a larger
section of the Soviet coastline.
Another interesting turboprop powered military aircraft is the Lockheed
EP-3E AERIES II,
a long range surveillance aircraft.
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