Lockheed P-2 Neptune
| P-2 (P2V) Neptune | |
|---|---|
 SP-2H of VP-56 over the Atlantic. | |
| General information | |
| Type | Maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft |
National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | United States Navy |
| Number built | 1,177 (total) |
| History | |
Introduction date | March 1947 |
| First flight | 17 May 1945 |
| Retired | 1984 (military) 2017 (civilian) |
| Variant | Kawasaki P-2J |
The Lockheed P-2 Neptune (designated P2V by the United States Navy (USN) prior to September 1962) is a maritime patrol and antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. It was developed for the USN by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon and was replaced, in turn, by the Lockheed P-3 Orion. Designed as a land-based aircraft, the Neptune never made a carrier landing, but a few were converted and deployed as carrier-launched (using JATO assist), stop-gap nuclear bombers that would have to land on shore or ditch. The type was successful in export and saw service with several armed forces.