Lockheed S-3 Viking

The Lockheed S-3 Viking was a jet aircraft used by the United States Navy to identify, track, and destroy enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface surveillance capabilities to the carrier battle group.

A carrier-based, subsonic, all-weather, multi-mission aircraft with long range, it carried automated weapon systems, and was capable of extended missions with in-flight refueling. Because of the engines high-pitched sound, it was nicknamed the "Hoover" after the brand of vacuum cleaner. The US Navy retired the S-3 Viking in January 2009, with its missions being assumed by other platforms.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Lockheed
• S-3
• Viking
• Hoover
• US
• Navy
• naval
• combat
• aircraft

[ALB437]

Full efficiency! Could it be considered (till 2009) as a jet brother of the P-3 Orion?

[rtdleonard1969]

@22agp I was thinking the same thing! I was a Topcat, but went through the Seawolves Cat III training for S-3B transition.

[rtdleonard1969]

VS-22 lost a bird in 1989...uncommanded hard roll on cat launch...once again, only one person survived... AW2 Tracy Mann...I went through CAT III at VS-27 with him. He bounced off the water too. Broke his back. I flew with VS-31 from 1989 - 1990, and then with VX-1 Test Squadron from 91 -92. Sorry to see the old Viking be retired...she was a great work horse.

[Fruitloop186]

@22agp Huh ?

[bobsit1945]

Was VS-22's Corpsman from late 79- late 82, Deployed with them on USS Saratoga's Med. Cruise in 80 and USS J F Kennedy's Med and Indian Ocean Cruise in 82......Loved my time with them

[Dr3aDnAuGhTz]

the good old hoover vacum cleaner

[RetiredUSNavy]

@hallufus >>> Yes they did. They lost three of the crew. My CO was one, a good friend behind him and the right seater all lost their lives. Only one that lived bounced sideways across the water. The S3-A's Slats failed from what I understand on the CAT Shot and made for an uncontrollable pitch they could not correct. Sad Day as it was on their way home from a long WES-PAC.

[hallufus]

@RetiredUSNavy Didn't VS-21 lose a bird in '88?

[hallufus]

@RetiredUSNavy  Didn't VS-21 lose a bird in '88?

[RetiredUSNavy]

@hallufus I was in VS-21 right next door from 84-88.