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Lockheed S-3 Viking
Photo: US Navy · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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LockheedS-3Viking

Maritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft · United States · 1974
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LockheedS-3Viking

Lockheed S-3 Viking
Lockheed S-3 Viking Photo: US Navy · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
ASW Effectiveness
85
Sensor Suite
80
Endurance
75
Range
70
Weapons Payload
70
Sonobuoy Capability
85
Search Coverage
80
Reliability
75
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
70
Origin United States
ManufacturerCalifornia, Palmdale
CategoryMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft
EraCold War
In service1974–1978
Operators1 countries
Quantity188
Data Quality85%
79
Maritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft MASS Rating
4/14
Cold War
11/130
All-Time
Maritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft · 10 axes scored
ASW Effectiveness
85
Sensor Suite
80
Endurance
75
Range
70
Weapons Payload
70
Sonobuoy Capability
85
Search Coverage
80
Reliability
75
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
70
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the maritime patrol & asw aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Lockheed S-3 Viking
Prime contractor
Production
1974–1978
Quantity
188
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MARITIME PATROL & ASW AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
79
maritime patrol & asw aircraft category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the maritime patrol & asw aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • Base AirframeLockheed S-3 Viking
  • Mission Typeanti-submarine warfare, aerial refueling, surface warfare, ELINT
  • Service Entry Year1974
  • Flight Crew4
  • Mission Crew4
  • In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant2MOD.2
  • Engine TypeGeneral Electric TF34 turbofan
  • Number of Engines2
▣Performance5MOD.5
  • Cruise Speed650 km/h
  • Service Ceiling12,000 m
  • Range3,700 km
  • Endurance6
  • On-Station Time7
◇Mission Systems10MOD.10
◆Armament (ASW/Strike)3MOD.3
▤Dimensions3MOD.3
  • Length16.26 m
  • Wingspan20.93 m
  • Max Takeoff Weight23,831 kg
⬢Production2MOD.2
  • Total Built188
  • Operators1
▲Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year2016
  • Production Start1974
  • Production End1978
  • Operational Statusretired from USN service in 2016, last NASA aircraft retired in 2021
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1972Entered service
  2. 1974Production started
  3. 1978Production ended
  4. 1990First deployment: Gulf War
52
years in service
4
years in production
188
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) is an instrument used to measure and detect variations in the Earth's magnetic field, primarily for locating submarines or other large metallic objects.
A sonobuoy is a expendable, self‑contained buoy equipped with acoustic or other sensors, deployed from aircraft to detect and track submarines or surface vessels.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Maritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft entry →