CalFire Fixed Wing Dropping on Fire Breaks

This P-3C Orion, which is the Navy's front line, maritime patrol aircraft since the 1960's, has been converted for fire fighting duties. Built by Lockheed, it's primary use was anti-submarine detection and formerly carried a payload of anti-submarine weaponry. Due to its capability of dropping sono buyos, the P-3C is sought after as the premier fire fighting attack plane, and is capable of dropping a large payload of Phos-Chek at very low altitudes. The P-3C's are rapidly replacing the older retardant-dropping planes which were mostly World War II surplus bombers such as the B-24 Liberator and the B-25 Mitchel.