P2V-2 Neptune

The Lockheed P2V-2 Neptune was a twin‑engine maritime patrol and anti‑submarine warfare aircraft that entered service with the United States Navy in 1947. Developed from the earlier P2V-1, the P2V-2 incorporated a larger wing, strengthened airframe, and more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines with supplemental Wright R-2600 turbo‑superchargers, giving it a maximum speed of about 300 mph and a range exceeding 4,000 miles. Its distinctive nose housed a radome for APS‑1 search radar, while internal bomb bays and under‑wing pylons could carry depth charges, torpedoes, mines, or later, nuclear weapons. The aircraft also featured an advanced magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) boom extending from the tail, crucial for locating submerged submarines during the early Cold War. Operationally, the P2V-2 conducted long‑range patrols over the Atlantic and Pacific, providing the first sustained airborne early‑warning capability for carrier groups. Its reliability and versatility established a new standard for maritime patrol aircraft, influencing subsequent designs such as the P‑3 Orion. The Neptune’s service paved the way for modern maritime surveillance and anti‑submarine tactics, marking a pivotal chapter in post‑World‑II aviation history. Its legacy endures in modern maritime patrol platforms used worldwide.

Lockheed Corporation

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