The S-3 Viking is a United States Navy jet aircraft used to hunt and destroy enemy submarines and provide surveillance of surface shipping. The ES-3 version is fitted for electronic warfare and reconnaissance.
The S-3A Viking replaced the S-2 Tracker and entered fleet service in 1974. The S-3 is a carrier-based, subsonic, all-weather, long-range, multi-mission aircraft. It operates primarily with carrier battle groups in anti-submarine warfare zones. It carries automated weapon systems and is capable of extended missions with in-flight refueling.
The last production S-3A was delivered in August 1978. The inventory includes S-3As and S-3Bs. Also, 16 S-3As were converted to ES-3 Shadows for carrier-based electronic reconnaissance.
