Viking Association

What's New: 


  • Tailhook 2025 at the Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) in Reno (21-23 August)
  • Tailhook 2025 is right around the corner.  We are once again planning to co-sponsor the I-bar admin along with the HSM/HSC communities.  The Admin will be open Thur/Fri evenings.  The GSR hotel is a giant step above the Nugget and hope to see many of you there! 


  • We are also considering holding a Viking breakfast during Hook on Saturday morning (23 Aug) like we did a couple years ago.  So far we've had about 10 folks RSVP for the breakfast so if you're heading to Hook and haven't RSVP'd please do so today by sending a short email to vikingassociation@gmail.com with your name(s) and number of attendees. If we have sufficient numbers, we’ll schedule the event.  The breakfast would cost approximately $35 per person.


  • Jacksonville Roundup (3 July)
  • Mark your calendars for our next Viking Round-up, 03 July 2025 (a Thursday), 1700-1900 at the world famous Veterans United Craft Brewery in Jacksonville. Ron Gamble, fellow former Viking warrior, now President, founder and Head Brewmaster of VU with his wife Sue run this fine establishment and this will be the second time for our group at the VU! This is an open event for all community members and we certainly look forward to seeing you - pass the word. VU home page: https://www.vubrew.com/


  • S-3 Scholarship update
  • We have now raised over $54K toward our $60K goal thanks to generous contributions from many of you!   If you haven’t done so already (or wish to contribute again) please consider contributing to this worthwhile cause which will fully fund the Viking perennial scholarship.   See below for more details.


  • Viking Association website updates and emails
  • Now that our website is up and running we will use simple email notifications to our membership to alert them to website updates and new Viking Association information.



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Important items/news: 

  • S-3 Scholarship via the Tailhook Educational Foundation (TEF)
  • Our website now accepts credit card donations!  Look for a link under the "S-3 Scholarship" tab at the top and click on the "Donate now" tab.



(Click Menu Bar links for more details)


S-3 Viking History


Aircraft specifications:

Wing span: 69 feet
Length: 53 feet
Height: 23 feet
Weight: empty: 26,500 pounds

Maximum takeoff: 52,539 pounds
Speed: 518 mph
Ceiling: 40,000 feet
Range: more than 2,300 nautical miles
Power plant: two GE TF34-GE-2 turbofan engines
Crew: four
Contractor: Lockheed Martin


The VSX program (S-3) started in 1968, and, in 1969, Lockheed was awarded the contract to develop the Navy's new carrier-based, fan-powered ASW aircraft. It was designed to incorporate the latest concepts in sensors and in computer-based data processing, display and weapons control systems, and in enabling the four-man crew to effectively deal with the anticipated submarine threat. The S-3 Viking replaced the old reciprocating-engine-powered S-2 Tracker.


The S-3 Viking has all four crew members seated on ejection seats. The pilot's controls include a control stick in place of the traditional wheel. The slightly swept wing and General Electric TF-34 fan engines provide the S-3A with long-range or on-station endurance at cruise speeds and altitudes typical of subsonic jet aircraft. In-flight refueling through a retractable refueling probe can be used to further extend its mission performance. Folding wings and vertical tail provide carrier handling flexibility.

The S-3A airframe has been adapted to other roles--a characteristic for which its S-2 predecessor has long been noted. The improved S-3B version incorporates improved technology for increased radar detection range and classification, advanced acoustic processing, and support measures, and has Harpoon missile capability.


With its APS-137 Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR), ALR-67 Electronic Surveillance Measures (ESM) system and Harpoon missile capability, the Viking plays a critical surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting role in maintaining the sea control picture for naval and joint forces. Additionally, with the retirement of the A-6, the Viking has become the principal organic tanking platform for the battlegroup and a mainstay in offensive mining. It also contributes to Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW), especially in the littoral regions.


Upgrades to the radar, mission computer, communications and navigation suite supported organic reconnaissance capabilities in the littoral regions. Added to the planned airframe structural enhancements, these upgrades prevented obsolescence and ensured an adequate inventory of this essential platform until it's disestablishment.