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EP-3A/B Orion
EP-3E ARIES / ARIES II
U.S. Navy EP-3E of VQ-1
Role Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) reconnaissance aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Lockheed
Status Active
Primary users United States Navy
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Developed from P-3 Orion

The Lockheed EP-3 is the signals reconnaissance version of the P-3 Orion, operated by the United States Navy.

Contents

[edit] Development

A total of 12 P-3C aircraft were converted to replace older versions of the aircraft, which had been converted in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The aircraft are known by the acronym ARIES, or "Airborne Reconnaissance Integrated Electronic System".[1]

From 1960 to 1991, the squadrons that flew the EP-3E also flew the Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior. There are 11 EP-3Es in the Navy's inventory, the last of which was delivered in 1997.

[edit] Notable incidents

Main article: Hainan Island incident

In April 2001 an aerial collision between a United States Navy EP-3E ARIES II, a signals reconnaissance version of the P-3C, and a People's Liberation Army Navy J-8IIM fighter resulted in an international incident between the United States and China. The J-8IIM crashed and its pilot was killed. The EP-3 came close to becoming uncontrollable, at one point sustaining a near inverted roll, but was able to make an emergency landing on Hainan. The crew and plane were subsequently detained by Chinese authorities, accused of "killing the Chinese pilot".

After several days, the crew was repatriated separately to the United States while the aircraft remained in China, reported taken apart for research on American technology. Although the crew attempted to destroy as much classified material, hardware and software on the aircraft prior to the emergency landing, there is little doubt that the EP-3 was exploited by Chinese intelligence services. An American team was later permitted to enter Hainan in order to dismantle the aircraft, which was subsequently airlifted back to United States for reassembly and repair.

[edit] Fictional incidents

This incident was referenced in the television series JAG, specifically in the episode Dog Robber during season 7. During this episode, a similar incident occurred in which a US Navy EP-3 had a mid-air collision with a Chinese MIG. Subsequently, the crew of the US EP-3 had to make an emergency landing at the Fuzhou Airbase in China. As in the original incident, both the crew and plane were detained. A US delegation led by Admiral Thomas Boone flew to the Fuzhou Airbase to negotiate for release of the aircraft and it's crew. The general in charge of the base agreed to release the crew, but the aircraft would remain in Chinese custody, to be studied and disassembled: a gross breach of US military security.

Upon the delegation's return to the USS Thomas Jefferson, a navy lieutenant had strong reservations against allowing the Chinese military to obtain US military secrets, and thus disobeyed orders, flew into Chinese airspace and destroyed the EP-3 before the Chinese had a chance to study it in detail. This, however, led to the Lieutenant being court-martialed for his actions, found guilty for disobeying a superior officer, and dismissed from the navy.

[edit] EP-X

Boeing has started working on an unscheduled replacement aircraft, the EP-X, based on their 737.[2]

On 16 August 2009, The Navy issued an "EP-X Analysis of Alternatives" that called for "information useful for the execution of the Electronic Patrol-X (EP-X) program which will recapitalize the EP-3E aircraft to provide tactical, theater, and national level Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T) support to Carrier Strike Groups and to Theater, Combatant, and National Commanders."[3]

On 23 September 2009, leaked Navy budget documents for FY2011 revealed that the EP-X program would be delayed rather than started in that year.[4]

[edit] Variants

U.S. Navy Lockheed EP-3A Orion of air test and evaluation squadron VX-1 Pioneers in 1983. This aircraft was used in the "EMPASS" project, the "Electromagnetic Performance of Air and Ship Systems" (EMPASS) Project.
  • EP-3A: Seven modified for electronic reconnaissance testing.
  • EP-3B: Two P-3As converted into ELINT aircraft during the Vietnam War.
  • EP-3: ELINT aircraft for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force.
  • EP-3E ARIES: 10 P-3As and 2 EP-3Bs converted into ELINT aircraft.
  • EP-3E ARIES II: 12 P-3Cs converted into ELINT aircraft.
  • EP-3J: Two modified from P-3As for FEWSG use as a simulated adversary EW platform in exercises; later transferred to the former Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 33 (VAQ-33), then transferred to the former Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 11 (VQ-11).

[edit] Operators

 Japan
 United States

[edit] Specifications (EP-3)

Lockheed EP-3E ARIES II in 2006

General characteristics

  • Crew: 22+
  • Length: 116 ft 7 in (35.57 m)
  • Wingspan: 99 ft 6 in (30.36 m)
  • Height: 33 ft 7 in (10.27 m)
  • Wing area: 1300 ft² (120.8 m²)
  • Airfoil: NACA 0014-1.10 (Root) - NACA 0012-1.10 (Tip)
  • Empty weight: 77,200 lb (35,000 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 135,000 lb (61,400 kg)
  • Useful load: 57,800 lb (26,400 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 142,000 lb (64,400 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4× Allison T56-A-14 turboprop, 4,600 shp (3,450 kW) each
  • Propellers: Four-bladed Hamilton Standard propeller, 1 per engine
    • Propeller diameter: 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m)

Performance

[edit] See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

[edit] References

  1. ^ "EP-3E (ARIES II) signals intelligence reconnaissance aircraft". United States Navy Fact File. http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1000&ct=1. Retrieved 15 February 2009. 
  2. ^ EP-X Program Starts To Take Shape
  3. ^ EP-X Analysis of Alternatives
  4. ^ Littoral Ships, Other Weapons Cut in New U.S. Navy 5-Year Plan
  • Winchester, Jim, ed. Military Aircraft of the Cold War (The Aviation Factfile). London: Grange Books plc, 2006. ISBN 1-84013-929-3.

[edit] External links

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