S-3 Viking
|
|
| S-3 Viking | ||
|---|---|---|
 An S-3B Viking launches from the catapult aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, August 2002 | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | ASW | |
| Crew | 4 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 53 ft 4 in | 16.3 m |
| Wingspan | 68 ft 8 in | 20.9 m |
| Height | 22 ft 9 in | 6.9 m |
| Wing area | ||
| Weights | ||
| Empty | ||
| Loaded | ||
| Maximum take-off | 52,539 lb | 23,831 kg |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 2 General Electric TF34-GE-400B turbofans | |
| Thrust | 9,275 lbf | 41.25 kN |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 450 knots | 830 km/h |
| Combat range | ||
| Ferry range | ||
| Service ceiling | 40,000 ft | 12,200 m |
| Rate of climb | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | None | |
| Bombs | 3,958 lb | 1,795 kg |
The Lockheed 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. Because of the high-pitched sound of the aircraft's engines, it is nicknamed the "Hoover" (after the vacuum cleaner).
The S-3A Viking replaced the piston-engined Grumman 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 roles. 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. Sixteen S-3As were converted to ES-3 Shadows for carrier-based electronic reconnaissance (ELINT) duties. A few units were also converted for utility and limited cargo duty, known as the US-3B, all of which were retired by 1998. Plans were also made to develop the KS-3 version out of the basic airframe, a carrier-based tanker aircraft to replace the retired KA-6 but these were ultimately cancelled.
On May 1, 2003, US President George W. Bush rode in the co-pilot seat of a Viking that landed on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, where he delivered his "Mission Accomplished" speech announcing the end of major combat in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. That Navy flight is the only one to use the callsign "Navy One".
General characteristics
- Primary function: Anti-submarine warfare and sea surveillance
- Contractor: Lockheed-California Company
- Unit cost: US$27 million
- Propulsion: Two General Electric TF34-GE-400B turbofan engines 9,275 lbf (41.25 kN) thrust each
- Length: 53 ft 4 in (16 m)
- Wingspan: 68 ft 8 in (20.6 m)
- Height: 22 ft 9 in (6.9 m)
- Weight: Max design gross take-off: 52,539 lb (23,831 kg)
- Speed: 450 knots (520 mi/h, 830 km/h)
- Ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,200 m)
- Range: 2,300+ nautical miles (2,650+ statute miles, 4260+ km)
- Armament: Up to 3,958 lb (1,795 kg) of AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, rockets, torpedoes, mines, depth charges
- Crew: Four
- Date Deployed:
- First flight: January 21, 1972
- Operational from: February 1974
External links
- Navy.mil - Standard Aircraft Characteristics: S-3A (http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/s-3.pdf)
|
Lists of Aircraft | Aircraft manufacturers | Aircraft engines | Aircraft engine manufacturers Airports | Airlines | Air forces | Aircraft weapons | Missiles | Timeline of aviation |