Duke Hawkins: Lockheed S-3 Viking

Technical book about Lockheed S-3 Viking

• in English language
• 148 pages
• Size: 240mm x 240mm
• high quality paper

The Lockheed S-3 Viking was an American four-engine submarine hunting and maritime surveillance aircraft designed specifically for use from aircraft carriers. From the 1970s onwards, it supplemented the US Navy's carrier-based anti-submarine defense and, in addition to submarine hunting, could also be used for maritime reconnaissance, surveillance, electronic reconnaissance and later as a tanker aircraft.

Development began in the late 1960s as a replacement for the Grumman S-2 Tracker. The first prototype YS-3A flew on January 21, 1972. The production version S-3A Viking was introduced to the US Navy from 1974.

The two General Electric TF34-GE-2 turbofan engines located under the wings were characteristic. This engine family, originally developed for the A-10 Thunderbolt II, gave the S-3 a comparatively long range and good economic efficiency for a carrier-based submarine fighter. The crew consisted of four people: pilot, co-pilot and two crew members for the tactical and anti-submarine systems.

The S-3 had extensive sensor and communication equipment for submarine hunting. These included, among other things, a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) in the extendable tail boom, a powerful radar and facilities for the use of sonobuoys. In the rear fuselage there was a large internal weapons bay for torpedoes, depth charges and other weapons. In addition, external loads could be carried under the wings.

The Viking played an important role during the Cold War, particularly in surveillance of Soviet submarines. It operated from American aircraft carriers and, together with carrier-based helicopters and other maritime surveillance systems, formed an essential part of anti-submarine warfare.

Over the course of its service, the S-3 was modernized several times. The S-3B received, among other things, improved sensors and avionics as well as the ability to use more modern weapons. After the end of the Cold War, the classic submarine hunting mission became increasingly less important. Many S-3Bs were therefore used for maritime surveillance, electronic reconnaissance and aerial refueling.

Particularly interesting is the ES-3A Shadow variant, which was developed from the S-3B and was specially equipped for electronic reconnaissance (ELINT). In addition, S-3s were also used as US-3A for transport tasks.

The US Navy finally ended the regular use of the S-3 Viking in 2009. However, some machines were still used for testing and research tasks afterwards.

Technical data - S-3B Viking

• Crew: 4 men
• Drive: 2 × General Electric TF34-GE-2 turbofan
• Thrust: approx. 41 kN each
• Top speed: around 830 km/h
• Cruising speed: about 670 km/h
• Wingspan: 20.93 m
• Length: 16.26 m
• Height: 6.93 m
• max. takeoff mass: about 23.8 t
• Armament: torpedoes, depth charges, mines and various guided or unguided weapons
• Special feature: fully designed for carrier operation, including folding wings and arrestor hooks