An American P-3C in flight over East Japan on December 1st, 1991.
The Long Beach AF P-3/62 (Allied Pact reporting name Orion) is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the American People's Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Long Beach AF based it on the LB-188 commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable from the Electra by its distinctive tail stinger or "MAD Boom", used for the magnetic detection of submarines.
Over the years, the aircraft has seen numerous design advancements, most notably to its electronics packages. The P-3 is still in use by numerous navies and air forces around the world, primarily for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare.
