P2V-1 Neptune

The Lockheed P2V-1 Neptune was the first production model of a maritime patrol and anti‑submarine aircraft that first flew in 1945. Developed by Lockheed Corporation as a response to the U.S. Navy’s demand for a long‑range, land‑based patrol plane, the P2V‑1 entered service shortly after World War II and quickly proved its worth during the early Cold War. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines supplemented by two Allison J33 turbo‑jets, the Neptune could cruise at 300 mph and cover more than 4,000 nm, a range unprecedented for its era. Its high‑wing layout, large internal bomb‑bay and retractable landing gear allowed it to carry depth charges, torpedoes, mines and later nuclear weapons. Advanced navigation and radar systems, including the AN/APS‑20 radar, gave the aircraft exceptional detection capability over oceanic expanses. The P2V‑1 set several endurance records and was deployed in Korean‑War reconnaissance, Atlantic anti‑submarine patrols, and early space‑program recovery missions. As a versatile, rugged platform, the Neptune shaped maritime patrol doctrine and laid the groundwork for later Lockheed patrol aircraft such as the P‑3 Orion, cementing its legacy in aviation history.

Lockheed Corporation

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