Function: Jet aircraft is used in the detection and attack of submarines, and as an armed scout in the anti-surface role. Extremely versatile, the aircraft is also equipped for tanking, mining, and limited electronic surveillance.







Description: Modified from the earlier S-3A Viking, the S-3B's high speed computer system processes information generated by the acoustic and non-acoustic target sensor systems. This includes a new Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) and ESM systems suites. To destroy targets, the S-3B Viking employs an impressive array of airborne weaponry. This provides the fleet with a very effective airborne capability to combat the significant threat presented by modern combatants and submarines. Additionally, all S-3B aircraft are capable of carrying an inflight refueling "buddy" store. This allows the transfer of fuel from the Viking aircraft to other Naval strike aircraft, thus extending their combat radius.







General Characteristics, S-3B Viking





Contractor:

Lockheed-California Company







Unit Cost:

$27 million







Propulsion:

Two General Electric TF-34-GE-400B turbofan engines (9,275 pounds of thrust each)







Length:

53 feet 4 inches (16 meters)







Height:

322 feet 9 inches (6.9 meters)







Wingspan:

68 feet 8 inches (20.6 meters)







Weight:

Maximum design gross take-off: 52,539 pounds (23,643 kilograms)













Maximum Speed:

450 knots (518 mph, 828.8 kph)







Ceiling:

40,000 feet







Range:

2,300+ nautical miles (2,645 statute miles, 4232 kilometers)







Armament:

Up to 3,958 pounds (1,781 kilograms) of AGM-84 Harpoon and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, torpedoes, mines, rockets and bombs







Crew:

Four







Initial Operational Capability:

1975