S-3 Viking

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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	23,539 kg
Powerplant
Engines	2 GE TF-34-GE-400B turbofans
Thrust	9,275 lbf	41 kN
Performance
Maximum speed	450 knots	828 km/h
Combat range
Ferry range
Service ceiling	40,000 ft	12,200 m
Rate of climb
Armament
Guns	None
Bombs	3,958 lb	1,781 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 duties.

On May 1, 2003, US President George W. Bush rode in a Viking that landed on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, where he then delivered his "Mission Accomplished" speech announcing the end of major combat in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

General characteristics

Primary function: Anti-submarine 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 lbf (41 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 (23,643 kg)
Speed: 450 knots (518 mi/h, 828.8 km/h)
Ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,200 m)
Range: 2,300+ nautical miles (2,645 statute miles, 4232 km)
Armament: Up to 3,958 lb (1,781 kg) of AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, rockets, torpedoes, mines, depth charges
Crew: Four
Date Deployed:
- First flight: January 21, 1972
- Operational from: February 1974