Quote: Avishai Izhakian, deputy general manager of Elta's airborne systems and radars division, said on 23 November that the Q400 is being offered as a direct replacement for the Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion. "This aircraft has very low operational costs and gives the crew a very comfortable working environment," he said.
By virtue of the size difference alone, the Q400 won't be able to replace the P-3 at every task, but with its already impressive range, (which can probably be extended with extra tankage), it should have no problems fulfilling the patrol aspects at a significant reduction in operating costs.
It also might provide a much needed boost to the lagging sales of Q400.
ThePointblank From Canada, joined Jan 2009, 1070 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (1 year 5 months 3 weeks 1 day ago) and read 3340 times:
Quoting JoeCanuck (Thread starter): impressive range, (which can probably be extended with extra tankage), it should have no problems fulfilling the patrol aspects at a significant reduction in operating costs.
You do realize the range the current P-3 has; it can fly essentially from Vancouver to Toronto, loiter over Toronto for 4-5 hours, and fly straight back to Vancouver without refueling, right? How much in the way of fuel tanks will a Q400 need to match it, and will it cut into cabin space? The P-3 is a unique bird in terms of endurance.
JoeCanuck From Canada, joined Dec 2005, 5053 posts, RR: 29 Reply 2, posted (1 year 5 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3153 times:
Well, duh. I specifically said it can't replace the P-3 at every task, and it does have impressive range which can probably be extended. I never said the range was the same as the P-3 but not every task the P-3 does, needs to be done by a P-3.
To be accurate, if it wants to loiter for 3 hours and make it back to YVR, it can only make it to about Thunder Bay.
cmb56 From United States of America, joined Dec 2009, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 year 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 3012 times:
I can't resist.
Why would a maritime patrol aircraft fly around Canada?
How about Midway Island to Wake and back?
stealthz From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 5434 posts, RR: 49 Reply 4, posted (1 year 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 3007 times:
Quoting cmb56 (Reply 3): Why would a maritime patrol aircraft fly around Canada?
Some RAAF P-3 have been modified(optimised?) for land based surveillance and C&C, indeed have flown many thousands of hours over a couple of middle Eastern countries in the past decade doing just that.
If your camera sends text messages, that could explain why your photos are rubbish!
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