Australian International Airshow 2015

The AP-3C Orion is an extremely versatile aircraft capable of land maritime surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, naval fleet support, and search and rescue operations.

Based in RAAF Base Edinburgh. The aircraft conducts long-range surveillance missions within Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone and throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The Orion first entered military service in 1962, with the P-3C first introduced in 1968. These were based on the Lockheed Electra civilian airliner.

The significantly upgraded Australian AP-3C Orions were introduced into service in 2002, and are fitted with a variety of sensors, including digital multi-mode radar, electronic support measures, electro-optics detectors (infra-red and visual), magnetic anomaly detectors, friend or foe identification systems and acoustic detectors.

The AP-3C Orion may work alone, or in conjunction with other aircraft or ships. Wartime missions include locating and attacking enemy submarines and ships using torpedoes and Harpoon anti-shipping missiles. Orions also assist in search and rescue operations by conducting search and survivor supply (air drop) missions.