A Lockheed S-3 Viking Scrapbook

S-3 Viking executing a wing fold/unfold

Story by Ken Kula, photos by Ken Middleton, Don Linn, Bob Finch, Scott Zeno, Jeff Serpa, and Ken Kula 

In the late 1960s, the U. S. Navy put forth a requirement requesting a modern anti-submarine hunter aircraft, initially called the VSX. It would be a carrier-borne aircraft to replace the elderly Grumman S-2 Trackers, then in use.

S-3A With a ECM pod on the right stores hardpoint

The S-3A went through its early development phases with no major problems, and beat out a Grumman design to win the VSX competition in August, 1969. On January 21, 1972, the Lockheed Corporation’s YS-3A, named the Viking, completed its first flight. The twin-engined jet was equipped with General Electric high bypass TF-34 turbofans, similar to those used on the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. A crew of four (pilot and co-pilot/tactical coordinator up front in the cockpit, and a tactical coordinator and a sensor operator in the back row of seats), were equipped with ejection seats, greatly improving survivability when compared to the S-2 Trackers. To assist with carrier operations. the wings folded, greatly decreasing its footprint on deck and in the hangar.

A pair of armed S-3As Lockheed Photo via Don Linn

Anti-submarine equipment included a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), sonobuoy tubes and the capability of carrying torpedoes, mines and depth charges.

Classic hi-visibility paint scheme adorns this S-3A

The S-3A type was declared operational in 1974. Overall, some 188 airframes were built (although multiple sources report 186 or 187 airframes), including eight prototypes. Over one dozen Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadrons stood up to operate the Viking.

Several modified S-3As were used for various additional duties, like the six US-3A Carrier Onboard Delivery airframes, without armament but with additional cargo space and room for up to six passengers.

S-3B Viking with a buddy store air refueling pod

In 1987, most S-3As were upgraded to the S-3B version, with additional weapons integration for missiles like the AGM-84 Harpoon. The S-3B allowed for air refueling buddy stores to be carries for aerial tanker duties too. Its sensors were upgraded along with a new inverse synthetic aperture radar system.

Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron 35’s commander’s aircraft, with the traditional special color scheme

The S-3B was used for a variety of missions during the 1991 Gulf War, as a tanker and for attack duties. By 1997, the Russian submarine threat was seen as greatly reduced due to the break-up of the Soviet Union, and the S-3 was used to broaden capabilities of the carrier air wings they were part of. More long-range attack missions were added as weapons such as the laser-guided Maverick missile were added to the S-3’s capabilities.

S-3B Viking without MAD equipment, note the missing tail boom

The Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron designation gave way to the new Sea Control Squadron name and mission in the late 1990s. Ultimately, the MAD system was removed from S-3Bs before the type was retired.

ES-3A Shadow at ANS Pensacola during the 1990s

Two squadrons comprising 16 ES-3A Shadow Electronic Intelligence versions became operational in 1993, giving aircraft carriers some additional overwater early warning and reconnaissance capabilities. These replaced the aging EA-3 Skywarriors that became active during the 1960s and 70s. After a relatively short operational career of six years, the type was retired in 1999.

Lockheed S-3B in flight during an Otis ANGB air show

The S-3B was active in Operation Iraqi Freedom beginning in 2003. The Vikings flew reconnaissance and attack missions, mainly over land areas instead of over open water. The S-3’s days were numbered though, with the F/A-18 Hornet taking on most of the S-3’s attack missions and by 2009 the Vikings all but disappeared from carrier operations.

Special CONA color scheme of a VX-30 Viking, one of three military airframes that remained active at the time

Ultimately, just three S-3B Vikings were operational by the final military unit to operate the Viking; these were kept active by VX-30, operating from the Navy base at Point Mugu, California for the Pacific Missile Test Center. On January 11, 2016, the last of these three S-3s was retired, ending U. S. naval service.

NASA’s last S-3B Viking test aircraft, see more photos of it in the gallery below

In 2009, NASA acquired several S-3s from military storage, and modified one which received the registration of N601NA. This airframe was used to support numerous test programs, and the final Viking was kept “alive” until it was retired from NASA on July 13, 2021.

Since the type’s retirement, several attempts to activate some of the Vikings have come and gone without any success. The Republic of Korea identified the S-3B as a potential airframe to reinforce their sea patrol/sea control P-3s, but the plans never were acted upon. Other rumors included an unnamed South American country as a future operator, but an order was never acted upon. Still, at one point in 2018 over 100 S-3s of various models still existed in the AMARG Boneyard and theoretically could be reactivated.

Here are a number of Lockheed S-3 Viking photos from a number of our photo contributors, enjoy!