Lockheed P-2 Neptune

The Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a long-range, anti-submarine aircraft. It was in service with the US Navy from 1947 to 1984. It was the West's answer to the Soviet submarines during the first half of the Cold War. It was equipped with a wide array of weapons, which included depth charges, torpedoes, bombs, and rockets. It was also used as a maritime patrol aircraft, also playing an anti-surface ship role. In 1982, an Argentine Navy's Neptune guided the Super Etendard bomber, which sank the HMS Sheffield destroyer with an Exocet missile.

Originally designated P2V, the Lockheed P-2 was used during the Korean War to insert secret agents behind enemy lines. During the Vietnam War, it was employed as a reconnaissance and maritime patrol aircraft, also relaying communications from CIA agents. However, the P2V Neptune spent most of its career stalking Soviet submarines, operating from land airbases or from aircraft carriers. Aside from its anti-submarine role, it also had other capabilities, such as electronic intelligence and countermeasures, and drone launching.

The Lockheed P-2 Neptune prototype, the XP2V-1, first took to the air on May 17, 1945. It was introduced into service with the US Navy on March 20, 1947, as the P2V-1. In 1962, it would be redesignated the P-2. A total of 1,181 aircraft would be built in different versions, and it would be sold to several countries, which included Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and Canada. Piloted by commander Thomas P. Davies, it broke a world record, flying 18,227 km (11,326 miles) from Perth, Australia, to Columbus, Ohio, in 55 hours, 17 minutes. This record showed the aircraft long range and endurance capacity.

Below, the P-2H (P2V-7) version in flight in the 1970s.

Technical Description

The Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a two-engine, mid-wing monoplane, which was fitted with a tricycle landing gear. The fuselage was an all-metal, semi-monocoque. An all-metal, cantilever wing was attached to it. Its tail assembly was composed of a large vertical fin and rudder, and a variable tailplane (horizontal stabilizer), to take account of changes in weight and center of gravity. The wing ailerons were of conventional operation; however, spring tabs were fitted, acting as servo tabs at high speeds. The wing also had modified Fowler high lift flaps.

The Lockheed P-2 was powered by two Wright R-3350-32W turbo compound, radial piston engines, each of which put out 3,500 horsepower. To carry out its anti-submarine and maritime patrol missions, it was equipped with one AN/ASQ-8 magnetic anomaly detector radar, which was mounted in an extended tail boom, and with one AN/APS-20 surface search radar, which was set up on belly of aircraft.

Specifications

Type: long-range anti-submarine aircraft

Length: 27.94 m (91 feet, 8 inches)

Wing Span: 31.65 m (103 feet, 10 inches)

Wing Area: 92.90 m2 (1,000 square feet)

Height: 8.94 m (29 feet, 4 inches)

Power Plant: two Wright -R-3350-32W radial, piston engines.

Maximum Speed: 648 km/h (403 mph)

Range: 5,930 km (3,685 miles)

Service Ceiling: 6,800 m (22,310 feet)

Crew: 7/ or 12

Armament: torpedoes, depth charges, bombs, and rockets.

Below, Lockheed P-2E (P2V-5) version flying over the Atlantic Ocean.

The Neptune during anti-submarine exercises.

Below, the P2V-3C variant about to take off from an USS aircraft carrier.