S-3B Viking
Description:
The S-3B Viking is an all weather, carrier-based jet
aircraft, providing protection against hostile surface
combatants while also functioning as the Carrier Battle Groups'
primary overhead/mission tanker. Extremely versatile, the
aircraft is equipped for many missions, including day/night
surveillance, electronic countermeasures,
command/control/communications warfare, and search and rescue (SAR).
Features:
The S-3B's high-speed computer system processes and displays
information generated by its targeting-sensor systems. These
systems include; Inverse/Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR/SAR),
infrared (IR) sensor and an Electronic Support (ESM) system. To
engage and destroy targets, the S-3B Viking employs an
impressive array of airborne weaponry including the AGM
84 Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile, AGM
65 Maverick IR missile and a wide selection of
conventional bombs and torpedoes. Future Viking aircraft
will also have a control capability for the AGM
84 Standoff Land Attack Missile Extended Range (SLAM-ER) missile.
The S-3B provides the fleet with a very effective fixed wing,
"over the horizon" aircraft to combat the significant
and varied threats presented by modern maritime combatants.
Background:
Derived from the S-3A and formerly configured for Anti-Submarine
Warfare (ASW), the S-3B of the 1990s has evolved into a premier
surveillance and precision-targeting platform for the Navy along
with modern precision-guided missile capabilities.
General
Characteristics:
Primary
Function: Force Protection, Organic overhead/mission tanking
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)
Wingspan: 68 feet 8 inches (20.6 meters)
Height: 22 feet 9 inches (6.9 meters)
Weight: Max design gross take-off: 52,539 pounds (23,643
kg)
Speed: 450 knots (518 mph, 828.8 kph)
Ceiling: 40,000 feet
Range: 2,300+ nautical miles (2,645 statute miles, 4232
km)
Armament: Up to 3,958 pounds (1,781 kg) of AGM-84 Harpoon,
AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-84 SLAM missiles,
torpedoes, rockets and bombs.
Crew: Two/Four
Service Entry:1975
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