Lockheed EP-2H Neptune

Developed in the early 1950s, the Lockheed EP‑2H Neptune was a specialized electronic‑reconnaissance version of the P‑2 maritime patrol aircraft built by Lockheed Corporation. In response to Cold‑War demands for long‑range signals‑intelligence gathering, the EP‑2H entered service with the United States Navy in 1958 and later with several allied air forces. The airframe retained the twin‑engine, high‑wing design of the P‑2 but incorporated a pressurised cabin, advanced radar‑absorbing paint, and a suite of side‑looking airborne radar (SLAR), electronic‑support measures (ESM), and direction‑finding antennas mounted in wingtip and fuselage pods. Its Allison T56‑A-14 turboprop engines provided a cruising speed of 300 knots and an endurance of over 12 hours, allowing it to patrol vast oceanic expanses and penetrate contested airspace while remaining out of range of most contemporary fighters. The EP‑2H’s ability to intercept, locate and record Soviet radar emissions proved crucial during the Cuban Missile Crisis and throughout the Vietnam War, shaping modern ELINT doctrine. Though retired in the late 1970s, the aircraft’s integration of avionics, extended range and dedicated intelligence payload set a benchmark for later platforms such as the EP‑3E Aries and RC‑135.

Lockheed Corporation

Lockheed EP-2H Neptune

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Design & Classification