Lockheed P-3C Orion

Joining us from the German Navy (Marineflieger) will be their primary martime patrol aircraft, the P-3C Orion. Based at Nordholz Airbase, the Orion has been in service with the Marineflieger since 2006 when refurbished examples replaced the venerable Bréguet Atlantic in the maritime patrol role. The P-3 Orion has been the stalwart of the NATO maritime patrol force since it first entered service with the US Navy in 1962, flying alongside the British Nimrod and the French Altantic/Atlantique. The type is now considered to be in its twilight years with many operators ordering the P-8A Poseidon as a replacement, including the German Navy.

Photo Credit: Rich Cooper