The development of the P-3 Orion began in 1958. A year earlier, the U.S. Navy had issued an official request for a modern land-based maritime patrol and antisubmarine warfare (ASW) platform to replace aging aircraft. Lockheed flew the first prototype in 1961. The design of the aircraft was based loosely on the Lockheed L-188 Electra airliner and provided a more spacious cabin that could accommodate larger amounts of equipment. The improved model allowed the Navy to expand the P-3s capabilities from the basic variants P-3A, B, and C into special mission platforms. The list of P-3 designations has grown to over fifty different variants.

The P-3 AEW designation indicates that the aircraft was modified with Airborne Early Warning (AEW) capabilities. Lockheed developed the AEW version of Orion in the first half of the eighties. The initial conversion was made to a P-3B formerly assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The maiden flight successfully occurred in 1984. The P-3 AEW Orion has been operated by both military and civilian organizations around the globe. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations (AMO) operated the P-3 AEW Orion. The P-3 AEW was the only dedicated Airborne Early Warning law enforcement aircraft in the world. The global range and capability to remain overhead for extended periods enabled P-3 AMO crews to track, seize and disrupt countless tons of illegal narcotics bound for international markets.

Manufacturer
Lockheed

Markings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 2023

Designation
P-3

Registration
A9-299, N145CS

Serial Number
155299