S-3 Viking

The S-3 Viking is a United States Navy jet aircraft used to hunt and destroy enemy submarines and provide surveillance of surface shipping. The ES-3 version is fitted for electronic warfare and reconnaissance.

The S-3A Viking replaced the S-2 Tracker and entered fleet service in 1974. The S-3 is a carrier-based, subsonic, all-weather, long-range, multi-mission aircraft. It operates primarily with carrier battle groups in anti-submarine warfare zones. It carries automated weapon systems and is capable of extended missions with in-flight refueling.

The last production S-3A was delivered in August 1978. The inventory includes S-3As and S-3Bs. Also, 16 S-3As were converted to ES-3 Shadows for carrier-based electronic reconnaissance.

General characteristics

• Primary Function: Antisubmarine warfare and sea surveillance
• Contractor: Lockheed-California Company
• Unit Cost: US$27 million
• Propulsion: Two General Electric TF-34-GE-400B turbofan engines (9,275 pounds thrust each)
• Length: 53 feet 4 inches (16 meters)
• Wingspan: 68 feet 8 inches (20.6 meters)
• Height: 22 feet 9 inches (6.9 meters)
• Weight: Max design gross take-off: 52,539 pounds (23,643 kg)
• Speed: 450 knots (518 mph, 828.8 kph)
• Ceiling: 40,000 feet
• Range: 2,300+ nautical miles (2,645 statute miles, 4232 km)
• Armament: Up to 3,958 pounds (1,781 kg) of AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, rockets, torpedoes, mines, depth charges
• Crew: Four
• Date Deployed:
  • First flight: January 21, 1972
  • Operational: February 1974