S-3 Viking

S-3 Viking
US Navy · Public domain · source
Name	S-3 Viking
Caption	An S-3B Viking from VS-22 in flight.
Type	Carrier-based ASW aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Lockheed Corporation
First flight	21 January 1972
Introduction	1974
Retired	2016 (U.S. Navy)
Status	Retired from active service
Primary user	United States Navy
Number built	187
Developed from	Lockheed L-1011 (wing design)

S-3 Viking. The Lockheed S-3 Viking was a twin-engine, carrier-based jet aircraft specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to protect United States Navy battle groups. Entering service with Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons in the mid-1970s, it replaced the aging Grumman S-2 Tracker and served as the Navy's primary sea-based ASW platform throughout the Cold War. Its versatile airframe was later adapted for roles including surface warfare, electronic intelligence, and aerial refueling.

Development and design

The VSX program was initiated in the late 1960s to develop a new carrier-based ASW aircraft, with the contract awarded to the team of Lockheed Corporation and Ling-Temco-Vought. The design leveraged technology from the commercial Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, particularly its high-aspect-ratio wing for efficient loiter time. It was powered by two General Electric TF34 turbofan engines, chosen for their fuel efficiency and quiet operation, which were mounted in nacelles under the wings. The aircraft featured a sophisticated AN/APS-116 search radar, a Magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) boom, and an internal weapons bay for torpedoes, depth charges, and sonobuoys. The crew of four included a pilot, co-pilot, and two Naval Flight Officers managing the tactical coordinator and sensor operator stations.

Operational history

The Viking entered operational service with Anti-Submarine Squadron 41 (VS-41) in 1974, deploying aboard aircraft carriers like the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). It played a crucial role in monitoring Soviet Navy submarines throughout the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean during the Cold War. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, its mission evolved; the S-3B variant was upgraded for over-the-horizon targeting and Harpoon (missile) strikes against surface vessels. Vikings from USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) saw combat during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting surveillance and strike missions. Its final carrier deployment concluded in 2009 aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), with the last examples retired from active U.S. Navy service by Naval Air Station Jacksonville in 2016.

Variants

The primary production model was the initial S-3A, with 187 built. The major upgrade was the S-3B, which featured improved avionics including the AN/APS-137 inverse synthetic aperture radar and enhanced electronic support measures. A small number of aircraft were converted into the US-3A Carrier onboard delivery transport and the ES-3A Shadow for electronic intelligence (ELINT) duties, operated by Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons. Other experimental conversions included the KS-3A aerial refueling tanker prototype and a single S-3B modified as a NASA testbed for engine research.

Operators

The sole primary military operator was the United States Navy. Its aircraft were assigned to various Anti-Submarine Squadrons (VS), such as VS-21, VS-22, VS-24, VS-27, VS-28, VS-29, VS-30, VS-31, VS-32, VS-33, VS-35, VS-37, VS-38, and VS-41. The ES-3A variant was operated by VQ-5 and VQ-6. Following retirement, several airframes were transferred to NASA for research and to the National Museum of Naval Aviation. A small number were also acquired for potential use by civilian defense contractors like Northrop Grumman.

Specifications (S-3B)

* **Crew:** 4 (pilot, co-pilot, TACCO, SENSO) * **Length:** 53 ft 4 in (16.26 m) * **Wingspan:** 68 ft 8 in (20.93 m) * **Height:** 22 ft 9 in (6.93 m) * **Empty weight:** 26,650 lb (12,088 kg) * **Max takeoff weight:** 52,539 lb (23,831 kg) * **Powerplant:** 2 × General Electric TF34-GE-400B turbofan engines, 9,275 lbf (41.26 kN) thrust each * **Maximum speed:** 518 mph (834 km/h, 450 knots) at sea level * **Range:** 2,300 mi (3,700 km, 2,000 nmi) * **Combat range:** 1,330 mi (2,140 km, 1,156 nmi) * **Service ceiling:** 40,000 ft (12,000 m) * **Armament:** Internal weapons bay and 4 underlying hardpoints for up to 4,900 lb (2,220 kg) of stores, including Mk 46 torpedo, Mk 50 torpedo, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-65 Maverick, rocket pods, Mk 82/Mk 83 bombs, and B57 nuclear bomb.

Aircraft on display

Several retired Vikings are preserved in museums across the United States. Notable examples include an S-3B at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, an S-3A at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, and an ES-3A at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Maryland. Other museums displaying the aircraft include the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California, and the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.

Category:Carrier-based aircraft Category:Anti-submarine aircraft Category:United States military reconnaissance aircraft Category:Lockheed aircraft