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New page: The '''S-3 Viking''' is a carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft. It first came into service in 1974. ==Design== With nuclear-armed [[Russian|U...
The '''S-3 Viking''' is a [[aircraft carrier|carrier]]-based anti-[[submarine]] aircraft. It first came into service in 1974.
==Design==
With [[nuclear weapon|nuclear]]-armed [[Russian|U.S.S.R]] submarines an increasing threat in the 1960s, the [[United States Navy|Navy]] decided it was high priority to acquire a reliable, modern anti-submarine aircraft to replace the aging [[S-2 Tracker]]s. The new aircraft had to carry "more bombs farther." Many companies, including [[Grumman]], [[McDonnell Douglas]], and Lockheed built prototypes.
[[Lockheed]] was awarded the contract in 1969 in coalition with [[Vought]] and [[Univac]]. The Lockheed company was to build the fueslage, while Vought designed the engines, [[landing gear]], and the folding wings and tail. Univac was responsible for the powerful onboard [[computer]].
==Service==
On [[February]] 20, 1974 the aircraft first equipped VS-41 aboard the ''[[John F. Kennedy (CVN-67]]''. In the 1990s, after the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], many S-3s were modified to become tanker aircraft and transport planes. During the first [[Gulf War]], they were useful as tankers, transports, and scout aircraft. However, one airplane launched a Maverick [[laser]]-guided missile, destroying an Iraqi target, the only instance where an S-3 was used in combat.
==="Navy One"===
On May 1, 2003, [[George W. Bush]] rode in an S-3 to the USS ''[[Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)]]'', the only aircraft ever to use the callsign "Navy One." The aircraft was piloted by [[Commander (Navy)|Commander]] John "Skip" Lussier, the commander of VS-35.
==Retirement==
The last S-3 will be replaced in 2009.
==Variants==
===S-3A===
The S-3A was the first service aircraft; 186 were built.
===S-3B===
The S-3B had upgraded [[computer]]s, upgraded radar, and was modified to launch [[AGM-84 Harpoon]] missiles.
===ES-3 Shadow===
The ES-3 was an electronic warfare aircraft; 16 S-3A aircraft were converted.
===US-3A===
The US-3A was a carrier transport and tanker, retired in 1998.
===[[NASA]] Viking===
One S-3B was modified by NASA to carry [[GPS]], research equipment, and [[satellite]] communications for research.
[[category:Aircraft]]
==Design==
With [[nuclear weapon|nuclear]]-armed [[Russian|U.S.S.R]] submarines an increasing threat in the 1960s, the [[United States Navy|Navy]] decided it was high priority to acquire a reliable, modern anti-submarine aircraft to replace the aging [[S-2 Tracker]]s. The new aircraft had to carry "more bombs farther." Many companies, including [[Grumman]], [[McDonnell Douglas]], and Lockheed built prototypes.
[[Lockheed]] was awarded the contract in 1969 in coalition with [[Vought]] and [[Univac]]. The Lockheed company was to build the fueslage, while Vought designed the engines, [[landing gear]], and the folding wings and tail. Univac was responsible for the powerful onboard [[computer]].
==Service==
On [[February]] 20, 1974 the aircraft first equipped VS-41 aboard the ''[[John F. Kennedy (CVN-67]]''. In the 1990s, after the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], many S-3s were modified to become tanker aircraft and transport planes. During the first [[Gulf War]], they were useful as tankers, transports, and scout aircraft. However, one airplane launched a Maverick [[laser]]-guided missile, destroying an Iraqi target, the only instance where an S-3 was used in combat.
==="Navy One"===
On May 1, 2003, [[George W. Bush]] rode in an S-3 to the USS ''[[Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)]]'', the only aircraft ever to use the callsign "Navy One." The aircraft was piloted by [[Commander (Navy)|Commander]] John "Skip" Lussier, the commander of VS-35.
==Retirement==
The last S-3 will be replaced in 2009.
==Variants==
===S-3A===
The S-3A was the first service aircraft; 186 were built.
===S-3B===
The S-3B had upgraded [[computer]]s, upgraded radar, and was modified to launch [[AGM-84 Harpoon]] missiles.
===ES-3 Shadow===
The ES-3 was an electronic warfare aircraft; 16 S-3A aircraft were converted.
===US-3A===
The US-3A was a carrier transport and tanker, retired in 1998.
===[[NASA]] Viking===
One S-3B was modified by NASA to carry [[GPS]], research equipment, and [[satellite]] communications for research.
[[category:Aircraft]]