Lockheed CP-140 Aurora vs SOCATA TB family

Lockheed CP-140 Aurora — licensed reference photograph

ATrainer aircraft

Lockheed CP-140 Aurora

Maritime patrol aircraft (CP-140) MPA trainer aircraft (CP-140A)

Credit

Ken Mist · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

BTrainer aircraft

SOCATA TB family

Light single-engine piston aircraft

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Lockheed CP-140 AuroraCP-140 Aurora · Length

35.61 m

Length source ↗

SOCATA TB familyTB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Length

7.75 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Measured figures

Head to head

18 of 42 rows sourced on both sides

35.61mCP-140 Aurora · Length

7.75mTB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Length

LengthScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

35.61 m

CP-140 Aurora · Length

Single source

35.61 m

CP-140 · Length

Single source

116 ft 10 in (35.61 m)^[source]

35.61 m^[source]CP-140 Aurora

7.75 m

TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Length

Single source

7.75 m (25 ft 5 in)^[source]

30.38mCP-140 · Wingspan

9.85mTB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Wingspan

WingspanScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

30.37 m

CP-140 Aurora · Wingspan

Single source

30.38 m

CP-140 · Wingspan

Single source

99 ft 8 in (30.38 m)^[source]

30.37 m^[source]CP-140 Aurora

9.85 m

TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Wingspan

Single source

9.85 m (32 ft 4 in)^[source]

10.3mCP-140 Aurora · Height

2.85mTB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Height

HeightScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

10.3 m

CP-140 Aurora · Height

Single source

10.274 m

CP-140 · Height

Single source

33 ft 8.5 in (10.274 m)^[source]

10.30 m^[source]CP-140 Aurora

2.85 m

TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Height

Single source

2.85 m (9 ft 4 in)^[source]

64.4t

1.4t

MassScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

64,410 kg

Gross; CP-140 Aurora · Gross weight · Maximum gross weight

Single source

27,833 kg

Gross; CP-140 · Gross weight

Single source

61,362 lb (27,833 kg)^[source]

64,410 kg^[source]CP-140 Aurora · Maximum gross weight

911 kg

Empty; TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · EFIS and MTV 9 propeller

Single source

1,400 kg

Maximum take-off; TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Max takeoff weight

Single source

911 kg (2,008 lb) EFIS and MTV 9 propeller^[source]

1,400 kg (3,086 lb)^[source]

Mission minimum 8, typically 12 to 15

1TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Crew

Crew

All recorded figures & sources

Mission minimum 8, typically 12 to 15^[source]

1 people

TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Crew

Single source

1^[source]

750km/h

280km/hCruise; TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Cruise speed

SpeedScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

750 km/h

Maximum; CP-140 Aurora · Maximum speed · Maximum speed

Single source

694 km/h

Maximum; CP-140 · below cruise ceiling

Single source

375 kn (432 mph, 694 km/h) below cruise ceiling^[source]

750 km/h^[source]CP-140 Aurora · Maximum speed

280 km/h

Cruise; TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Cruise speed

Single source

280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)^[source]

9,300kmCP-140 · Range

2,060km

RangeScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

7,400 km

CP-140 Aurora · Range

Single source

9,300 km

CP-140 · Range

Single source

5,000 nmi (5,800 mi, 9,300 km)^[source]

7,400 km^[source]CP-140 Aurora

2,060 km

TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · At 65% power at 25000 feet, with reserve

Single source

2,060 km (1,280 mi, 1,110 nmi) At 65% power at 25000 feet, with reserve^[source]

3,661kW

190kW

PowerScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

3,661 kW

CP-140 · 4 × Allison T56-A-14-LFE turboprop engines each

Single source

4 × Allison T56-A-14-LFE turboprop engines, 4,909 hp (3,661 kW) each^[source]

190 kW

TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · 1 × LYCOMING TIO-540-AB1AD Six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct drive, air-cooled and fitted with an automatically regulated turbocharger

Single source

1 × LYCOMING TIO-540-AB1AD Six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct drive, air-cooled and fitted with an automatically regulated turbocharger, 190 kW (250 hp)^[source]

120m²CP-140 · Wing area

—

Wing area

All recorded figures & sources

120 m²

CP-140 · Wing area

Single source

1,300 sq ft (120 m 2 )^[source]

8.2h

—

Endurance

All recorded figures & sources

8.2 h

CP-140 · on station at 1,000 nmi (1,151 mi; 1,852 km) radius

Single source

8 hours 12 minutes on station at 1,000 nmi (1,151 mi; 1,852 km) radius^[source]

10,700mCP-140 · Service ceiling

7,600mTB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Service ceiling

Service ceilingScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

10,700 m

CP-140 · Service ceiling

Single source

35,100 ft (10,700 m)^[source]

7,600 m

TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · Service ceiling

Single source

7,600 m (25,000 ft)^[source]

2.2t

—

Payload

All recorded figures & sources

277–1,111 kg

CP-140 · Hardpoints: 8 in weapons bay; 10 under-wing from capacity with a capacity of

Single source

2,177 kg

CP-140 · total in weapons bay, with provisions to carry combinations of

Single source

—

5.6m/sTB 21 TRINIDAD TC · 1,100 ft/min

Rate of climb

All recorded figures & sources

5.6 m/s

TB 21 TRINIDAD TC · 1,100 ft/min

Single source

5.6 m/s (1,100 ft/min)^[source]

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

Lockheed CP-140 Aurora and SOCATA TB family configuration
Specification	Lockheed CP-140 Aurora	SOCATA TB family
Type	Maritime patrol aircraft (CP-140) MPA trainer aircraft (CP-140A)^[source]	Light single-engine piston aircraft^[source]
Manufacturer	Lockheed Corporation^[source]	Socata^[source]
Status	Active (CP-140M only)^[source]	Out of production, in active service^[source]
Primary user	Royal Canadian Air Force^[source]	—
Number built	21 (18 CP-140M + 3 CP-140A)^[source]	2,150 (2007)^[source]
Introduction date	1980^[source]	1975^[source]
First flight	22 March 1979 (CP-140)^[source]	—
Retired	2011 (CP-140A only)^[source]	—
Developed from	Lockheed P-3 Orion^[source]	—
Aspect ratio	7.5^[source]	—
Airfoil	root: NACA 0014 (modified) ; tip: NACA 0012 (modified)^[source]	RA 16 3C3^[source]
Fuel capacity	7,661 imp gal (9,200 US gal; 34,828 L) usable fuel in one fuselage tank and four wing integral tanks^[source]	336 Liters (88.8 U.S. Gallons)^[source]
Propellers	4-bladed Hamilton Standard 54H60, 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) diameter constant-speed fully-feathering reversible-pitch propellers^[source]	2-bladed Hartzell (option for 3 bladed MT-propeller)^[source]
Maximum transit speed	395 kn (455 mph; 732 km/h) at optimum altitude^[source]	—
FAR balanced field length	7,900 ft (2,408 m)^[source]	—
Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m)	6,000 ft (1,829 m)^[source]	—
Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m)	3,200 ft (975 m) at 114,000 lb (51,710 kg) landing weight^[source]	—
Hardpoints	8 in weapons bay; 10 under-wing from 611 to 2,450 lb (277 to 1,111 kg) capacity with a capacity of 4,800 lb (2,177 kg) total in weapons bay, with provisions to carry combinations of:^[source]	—
Other	signal chargers, smoke markers , illumination flares^[source]	—
Rockets	air-to-surface rockets can be fitted after a minor retrofit.^[source]	—
Bombs	Mk 46 Mod V torpedoes, conventional bombs^[source]	—
Role	maritime patrol aircraft^[source]	—
Source measurement	Once AIMP was completed the CP-140 was designated as CP-140M.^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Design and development / Aurora Incremental Modernization Project; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Several options had been suggested for a CP-140M replacement. These included the Boeing P-8 Poseidon and the Raytheon Sentinel , based on the Bombardier Global Express -6500, as well as late entrant PAL Aerospace Global Express 6500-based P-6.^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Operational history / Replacement; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The RCAF had planned to downsize the fleet from eighteen to fourteen aircraft, with three already being withdrawn and a fourth test aircraft to be retired in the near future. The retirement of the CP-140 was originally expected around 2030, and could have resulted in a capability gap as the RCAF did not anticipate replacements to be delivered until 2032 to 2038. The RCAF's Weapon System Manager (WSM) had prepared plans to have the CP-140M operational until 2035 to 2040.^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Operational history / Replacement; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Royal Canadian Air Force 404 Long Range Patrol and Training Squadron , CFB Greenwood , Nova Scotia 4 × CP-140M Aurora 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron , CFB Greenwood , Nova Scotia 11 × CP-140M Aurora and 1 × CP-140 Aurora to be retained as a test aircraft until retirement in the near future. 415 Long Range Patrol Force Development Squadron , CFB Greenwood , Nova Scotia 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron , CFB Comox , British Columbia 3 × CP-140M Aurora^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 116 ft 10 in (35.61 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wingspan: 99 ft 8 in (30.38 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 33 ft 8.5 in (10.274 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wing area: 1,300 sq ft (120 m 2 )^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Gross weight: 61,362 lb (27,833 kg)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 4 × Allison T56-A-14-LFE turboprop engines, 4,909 hp (3,661 kW) each^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Propellers: 4-bladed Hamilton Standard 54H60, 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) diameter constant-speed fully-feathering reversible-pitch propellers^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 375 kn (432 mph, 694 km/h) below cruise ceiling^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum transit speed: 395 kn (455 mph; 732 km/h) at optimum altitude^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 5,000 nmi (5,800 mi, 9,300 km)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Endurance: 8 hours 12 minutes on station at 1,000 nmi (1,151 mi; 1,852 km) radius^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 35,100 ft (10,700 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage FAR balanced field length: 7,900 ft (2,408 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): 6,000 ft (1,829 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m): 3,200 ft (975 m) at 114,000 lb (51,710 kg) landing weight^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Hardpoints: 8 in weapons bay; 10 under-wing from 611 to 2,450 lb (277 to 1,111 kg) capacity with a capacity of 4,800 lb (2,177 kg) total in weapons bay, with provisions to carry combinations of: Other: signal chargers, smoke markers , illumination flares^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	—
Country of origin	United States^[source] United States^[source] United States^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 1, row 7, cell 2; revision 1376991819; retrieved 2026-10-02	France^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 2, row 8, cell 3; revision 1348750748; retrieved 2026-10-01
Manufactured	—	1975–2012^[source]
Capacity	—	4 passengers^[source]
Stall speed	—	109 km/h (68 mph, 59 kn) Full flaps^[source]
Never exceed speed	—	350 km/h (217 mph, 189 kn)^[source]

FORCETALLY

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Lockheed CP-140 Aurora

SOCATA TB family

Type

Maritime patrol aircraft (CP-140) MPA trainer aircraft (CP-140A)^[source]

Light single-engine piston aircraft^[source]

Manufacturer

Lockheed Corporation^[source]

Socata^[source]

Status

Active (CP-140M only)^[source]

Out of production, in active service^[source]

Primary user

Royal Canadian Air Force^[source]

—

Number built

21 (18 CP-140M + 3 CP-140A)^[source]

2,150 (2007)^[source]

Introduction date

1980^[source]

1975^[source]

First flight

22 March 1979 (CP-140)^[source]

—

Retired

2011 (CP-140A only)^[source]

—

Developed from

Lockheed P-3 Orion^[source]

—

Aspect ratio

7.5^[source]

—

Airfoil

root: NACA 0014 (modified) ; tip: NACA 0012 (modified)^[source]

RA 16 3C3^[source]

Fuel capacity

7,661 imp gal (9,200 US gal; 34,828 L) usable fuel in one fuselage tank and four wing integral tanks^[source]

336 Liters (88.8 U.S. Gallons)^[source]

Propellers

4-bladed Hamilton Standard 54H60, 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) diameter constant-speed fully-feathering reversible-pitch propellers^[source]

2-bladed Hartzell (option for 3 bladed MT-propeller)^[source]

Maximum transit speed

395 kn (455 mph; 732 km/h) at optimum altitude^[source]

—

FAR balanced field length

7,900 ft (2,408 m)^[source]

—

Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m)

6,000 ft (1,829 m)^[source]

—

Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m)

3,200 ft (975 m) at 114,000 lb (51,710 kg) landing weight^[source]

—

Hardpoints

8 in weapons bay; 10 under-wing from 611 to 2,450 lb (277 to 1,111 kg) capacity with a capacity of 4,800 lb (2,177 kg) total in weapons bay, with provisions to carry combinations of:^[source]

—

Other

signal chargers, smoke markers , illumination flares^[source]

—

Rockets

air-to-surface rockets can be fitted after a minor retrofit.^[source]

—

Bombs

Mk 46 Mod V torpedoes, conventional bombs^[source]

—

Role

maritime patrol aircraft^[source]

—

Source measurement

Once AIMP was completed the CP-140 was designated as CP-140M.^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Design and development / Aurora Incremental Modernization Project; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Several options had been suggested for a CP-140M replacement. These included the Boeing P-8 Poseidon and the Raytheon Sentinel , based on the Bombardier Global Express -6500, as well as late entrant PAL Aerospace Global Express 6500-based P-6.^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Operational history / Replacement; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The RCAF had planned to downsize the fleet from eighteen to fourteen aircraft, with three already being withdrawn and a fourth test aircraft to be retired in the near future. The retirement of the CP-140 was originally expected around 2030, and could have resulted in a capability gap as the RCAF did not anticipate replacements to be delivered until 2032 to 2038. The RCAF's Weapon System Manager (WSM) had prepared plans to have the CP-140M operational until 2035 to 2040.^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Operational history / Replacement; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Royal Canadian Air Force 404 Long Range Patrol and Training Squadron , CFB Greenwood , Nova Scotia 4 × CP-140M Aurora 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron , CFB Greenwood , Nova Scotia 11 × CP-140M Aurora and 1 × CP-140 Aurora to be retained as a test aircraft until retirement in the near future. 415 Long Range Patrol Force Development Squadron , CFB Greenwood , Nova Scotia 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron , CFB Comox , British Columbia 3 × CP-140M Aurora^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 116 ft 10 in (35.61 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wingspan: 99 ft 8 in (30.38 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 33 ft 8.5 in (10.274 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wing area: 1,300 sq ft (120 m 2 )^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Gross weight: 61,362 lb (27,833 kg)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 4 × Allison T56-A-14-LFE turboprop engines, 4,909 hp (3,661 kW) each^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Propellers: 4-bladed Hamilton Standard 54H60, 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) diameter constant-speed fully-feathering reversible-pitch propellers^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 375 kn (432 mph, 694 km/h) below cruise ceiling^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum transit speed: 395 kn (455 mph; 732 km/h) at optimum altitude^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 5,000 nmi (5,800 mi, 9,300 km)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Endurance: 8 hours 12 minutes on station at 1,000 nmi (1,151 mi; 1,852 km) radius^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 35,100 ft (10,700 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

FAR balanced field length: 7,900 ft (2,408 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): 6,000 ft (1,829 m)^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m): 3,200 ft (975 m) at 114,000 lb (51,710 kg) landing weight^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Hardpoints: 8 in weapons bay; 10 under-wing from 611 to 2,450 lb (277 to 1,111 kg) capacity with a capacity of 4,800 lb (2,177 kg) total in weapons bay, with provisions to carry combinations of: Other: signal chargers, smoke markers , illumination flares^[source]Lockheed CP-140 Aurora · Specifications (CP-140); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

—

Country of origin

United States^[source]

United States^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 1, row 7, cell 2; revision 1376991819; retrieved 2026-10-02

France^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 2, row 8, cell 3; revision 1348750748; retrieved 2026-10-01

Manufactured

—

1975–2012^[source]

Capacity

—

4 passengers^[source]

Stall speed

—

109 km/h (68 mph, 59 kn) Full flaps^[source]

Never exceed speed

—

350 km/h (217 mph, 189 kn)^[source]