WP-3D Orion

The Lockheed WP-3D Orion is a variant of the P-3 Orion used by the Aircraft Operations Center division of the NOAA. Only two of these craft exist, each incorporating numerous features for the role of collecting weather information. During hurricane season, the WP-3Ds are deployed for duty as hurricane hunters.

The WP-3Ds are equipped with three weather radars, C band radars in the nose and on the lower fuselage, and an X-band radar in the aircraft's tail. They are also equipped with dropsondes, temperature sensors, and other meteorological equipment. The aircraft are not specially strengthened for flying into hurricanes, however their decks were reinforced to withstand the additional equipment load.

NOAA currently operates two WP-3Ds nicknamed Miss Piggy and Kermit, and their logos featuring the characters were created by Jim Henson Productions. NOAA is currently in the process of acquiring a third P-3 aircraft. NOAA's other hurricane hunting aircraft, the Gulfstream IV-SP, is named Gonzo.

pecifications (P-3 Orion)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
crew=11
length main=116 ft 10 in
length alt=35.6 m
span main=99 ft 8 in
span alt=30.4 m
height main=33 ft 8.5 in
height alt=10.3 m
area main=1300 ft²
area alt=120.8 m²
empty weight main=61,500 lb
empty weight alt=27,900 kg
loaded weight main= lb
loaded weight alt= kg
max takeoff weight main=139,760 lb
max takeoff weight alt=63,400 kg
engine (prop)=Allison T56-A-14
type of prop= turboprop
number of props=4
power main=4,600 shp
power alt=3,700 kW

max speed main=466 mph
max speed alt=745 km/h
range main=2,700 miles combat,
range alt=4,400 km /
range main=5,600 miles ferry
range alt=9,000 km
ceiling main=28,300 ft
ceiling alt=8,600 m
climb rate main=3,140 ft/min
climb rate alt=957 m/min

loading main= 107 lb/ft²
loading alt= 530 kg/m²
power/mass main= 0.03 hp/lb
power/mass alt= 0.06 kW/kg

External links

* [http://www.aoc.noaa.gov/aircraft_lockheed.htm AOC description of the WP-3D]
* [http://www.moaa.org/magazine/July2003/f_eye.asp Military Officer magazine article on the WP-3D]

ee also

aircontent
related=
* P-3 Orion

similar aircraft=
* Lockheed WC-130

sequence=

lists=
List of aircraft of the AOC

see also=
* Hurricane Hunters