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P-3 Orion vs S-2 Tracker

Lockheed P-3 Orion military special mission aircraft side profile drawing
🇺🇸 P-3 Orion
Grumman S-2 Tracker military special mission aircraft side profile drawing
🇺🇸 S-2 Tracker
Change comparison vs
Specifications
P-3 Orion S-2 Tracker
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Special Mission Aircraft Military Special Mission Aircraft
Manufacturer Lockheed Grumman
First flight 19 August 1958 4 November 1952
Year introduced 1962 1954
Number produced 757 units 1284 units
Average unit price $36 million --
Wing area 121.0 m² 45.0 m²
Wingspan 30.4 m 22.2 m
Height 11.8 m 5.4 m
Length 35.6 m 13.3 m
Maximum speed 750 km/h 450 km/h
Operational range 2,491 km 2,172 km
Service ceiling 8,626 m 6,706 m
Max. takeoff weight 64,410 kg 11,860 kg
Empty weight 35,017 kg 8,308 kg
Total thrust 4 x 858 kW 2 x 569 kW
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The P-3 Orion and the S-2 Tracker are both Military Special Mission Aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed and Grumman respectively.

Top speed is 750 km/h for the P-3 Orion vs 450 km/h for the S-2 Tracker. The P-3 Orion has an operational range of 2,491 km vs 2,172 km for the S-2 Tracker. The P-3 Orion operates at altitudes up to 8,626 m compared to 6,706 m for the S-2 Tracker. At 64,410 kg MTOW, the P-3 Orion is 5.4x the S-2 Tracker's 11,860 kg.

The P-3 Orion has been produced in 757 units vs 1,284 for the S-2 Tracker. The S-2 Tracker first flew 6 years before the P-3 Orion (1952 vs 1958).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the P-3 Orion or S-2 Tracker?
The P-3 Orion is faster with a maximum speed of 750 km/h compared to the S-2 Tracker's 450 km/h, a difference of 300 km/h.
Which has longer range, the P-3 Orion or S-2 Tracker?
The P-3 Orion has a longer range at 2,491 km compared to the S-2 Tracker's 2,172 km.
Which can fly higher, the P-3 Orion or S-2 Tracker?
The P-3 Orion has a higher service ceiling at 8,626 meters (28,300 ft) compared to the S-2 Tracker's 6,706 meters (22,001 ft).
Which is heavier, the P-3 Orion or S-2 Tracker?
The P-3 Orion has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 64,410 kg compared to the S-2 Tracker's 11,860 kg.
Which is larger, the P-3 Orion or S-2 Tracker?
The P-3 Orion is longer at 35.6 meters compared to the S-2 Tracker's 13.3 meters.
Which entered service first, the P-3 Orion or S-2 Tracker?
The S-2 Tracker entered service first in 1954, 8 years before the P-3 Orion which entered service in 1962.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the P-3 Orion or S-2 Tracker?
The S-2 Tracker has been produced in greater numbers with 1,284 units compared to 757 units of the P-3 Orion.