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Lockheed S-3B Viking

posted by Jiri Wagner

Lockheed S-3B Viking is a jet aircraft, 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.

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

Primary function Antisubmarine Warfare and Sea Surveillance
Contractor Lockheed-California Company
Power plant Two General Electric TF-34-GE-400B turbofan engines
Thrust 2x 9,275 lb 2x 41.26 kN
Length 53 stop 4 in 16.25 m
Wingspan 68 ft 8 in 20.9 m
Height 22 ft 9 in 6.9 m
Max. takeoff weight 52,539 lb 23,832 kg
Speed 518 mph 833 km/h
Ceiling 40,000 ft 12,192 m
Range 2,647 miles 4,260 km
Armament Up to 3,958 pounds (1,781 kg) of AGM-84 Harpoon and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, torpedoes, mines, rockets and bombs.
Crew Four
Unit cost $27 million
Date deployed 1975

 

 

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