Lockheed WP-3D Orion

The Lockheed WP-3D Orion is a highly modified P-3 Orion used by the Aircraft Operations Center division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, flown by aviation officers of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. Only two exist, each fitted for collecting weather information, and during the Atlantic hurricane season they are deployed as hurricane hunters. They also support research on Arctic ice coverage, air chemistry and ocean water temperature and currents. The aircraft carry three weather radars, a C-band radar in the nose and on the lower fuselage and an X-band radar in the tail, can deploy dropsondes into storm systems, and carry onboard temperature sensors, with room for up to 22 people including up to twelve scientists. NOAA announced in 2024 that modified C-130J aircraft will replace the two aircraft, which are scheduled to retire by 2030.