What's this underwing store on a P3

[India Four Two]

A colleague of mine is on a seismic exploration vessel that was visited for an hour or so the other day by an MPA. He thought it was a P3 Orion. I asked him to send me some pictures and there was one fairly close picture that was in focus that confirmed his ID


Given my colleague's location, I was surprised to see that it was not a US Navy P3 as I expected, but after searching for the albatross logo, to find out it was from 5 Squadron, RNZAF. This Kiwi was a long way from home.

However, that is not the reason I am posting this question. I was intrigued by the object visible under the centre-section. A Google search has turned up a better image of the same pod, under the port wing of a 5 Squadron P3.


Does anyone know what this pod is?

[Heave Ho]

Hi,
It's the ALQ-78 ESM (Electronic Support Measures) pod, fitted to the port inboard wing only. I haven't seen a P-3 for ages, but didn't think they would still be carrying those pods.
I think in the States it was replaced by an updated system.

[reynoldsno1]

You didn't say where your friend was, but 5Sqn's remit covers a fair portion of the globe - especially the South & West Pacific. They also deploy to SE Asia on a fairly regular basis ...

[India Four Two]

Heave Ho,

Thanks for the info. Perhaps the Kiwis decided not to spend anything on the new equipment, although they recently refurbished their P3K fleet which now have new names to match - P3K2

AN/ALQ-78 (United States) - Jane's Electronic Mission Aircraft

reynoldsno1,

If you look up my location and look at news reports of military exercises in the area, you can probably guess which "Sea" my friend is sailing on

[OzBob]

There's some more good shots of the P3 and the pod in a recent discussion here
Wings Over New Zealand - Orion 02