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The
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. It carries a crew of
four, including the pilot, copilot, tactical coordinator (TACCO),
and sensor operator (SENSO). Given the nature of its mission,
it is appropriate that the S-3 has a tremendous fuel capacity
and efficient engines, which enable it to stay on station for
as long as it takes to find the lurking subsurface threat. The
sound of its engines are often compared to that of a vacuum
cleaner, hence its nickname, the "Hoover."
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.
For the antisubmarine mission, the S-3 is equipped with
acoustic sonobuoys and a tail-mounted Magnetic Anomaly
Detection (MAD) system, along with an impressive collection of
antisubmarine ordnance. However, the S-3 also has impressive
surveillance capability, in the form of a sophisticated ESM
(electronic surveillance measures) suite and an
inverse-synthetic aperture radar. Both of these tools allow
the S-3 to collect electronic intelligence invaluable to the
battle group. In addition, S-3B "War Hoovers" have
also been cleared to carry the AGM-84 Harpoon, giving the
Viking an anti-surface capability to match its sensors.
Finally, because of their high endurance, S-3s are used as
tankers, carrying "buddy packs" that enable them to
transfer jet fuel in-flight. |
