Function: Four-engine turboprop signals intelligence (SIGINT) reconnaissance aircraft.







History: Introduced in 1969, the EP-3 ARIES I replaced the Lockheed Super Constellation in naval Maritime Patrol Aviation (MPA) and Electronic Warfare (VQ) squadrons, completely displacing the Super Connie by 1974. Based on the basic P-3 Orion design, which is itself based on the Lockheed Electra airliner, the EP-3 specializes in tactical signal intelligence. Ten EP-3Es were converted from P-3A patrol aircraft and were the oldest airframes in the fleet; two more were converted from P-3Bs and designated the EP-3B BATRACK. Modifications include canoe-shaped housings above and below the fuselage, deletion of the Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) stinger, and addition of various antennae about the fuselage, the largest of which is the elliptical, retractable AN/APX-134 Big Look radar, which is 12 feet in diameter and three feet deep.



Avionics include the GTE/Sylvania AN/ALR-60 communications and intercept analysis system on some aircraft, the Argo AN/ALR-52 Instantaneous Frequency Measuring (IFM) receiver, the Loral AN/ALQ-78 automatic ESM system, the Magnavox AN/ALQ-108 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) deception set, Raytheon AN/ALQ-76 noise deception jammer, the Hughes Aircraft AN/AAR-37 IR detector, and the Sanders AN/ALQ-132 IR jammer.



In 1991 the EP-3E Aries II was introduced, eventually replacing the ARIES I, BATRACK and DEEPWELL variants. There are a significant number of shared systems and equipment between the EP-3E ARIES II and the ES-3A Shadow aircraft. The EP-3E ARIES II interfaces with other Battle Group defense platforms including United States Air Force Airborne Warning and Control Aircraft (AWACS), Airborne Command and Control Forces (TACAMO), and sub-surface forces.







Description: The EP-3E ARIES II (Airborne Reconnaissance Integrated Electronic System II) is the Navy's only land-based signals intelligence (SIGINT) reconnaissance aircraft. The 11 aircraft in the Navy's inventory are based on the Orion P-3 airframe and provide fleet and theater commanders worldwide with near real-time tactical SIGINT. With sensitive receivers and high-gain dish antennas, the EP-3E exploits a wide range of electronic emissions from deep within targeted territory.







General Characteristics, EP-3 Aries II





Builder:

Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems Company







Unit Cost:

$36 million







Propulsion:

Four Allison T-56-A-14 turboprop engines (4,900 shaft horsepower each)







Length:

116 feet 7 inches (35.57 meters)







Wingspan:

99 feet 6 inches (30.36 meters)







Maximum Speed:

411 knots (466 mph, 745 kmph)











Maximum Range:

Maximum mission range - 2,380 nautical miles (2,738.9 miles); for three hours on station @1,500 feet - 1,346 nautical miles (1,548.97 miles)







Height:

33 feet 7 inches (10.27 meters)







Cruise Speed:

328 knots (403 mph, 644 kmh)







Ceiling:

28,300 feet (8,625.84 meters)







Maximum Takeoff Weight:

139,760 pounds (63,394.1 kilograms)







Typical Crew:

22+