Share Share  |  
Print Page Email Page Smaller Text Larger Text

Defense and Security Intelligence and Analysis: IHS Jane's

S-3B Viking re-enters USN service in test range surveillance role

By Richard Scott

6/3/2010

The US Navy's (USN's) Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) at Jacksonville, Florida, has handed over the first of a trio of Lockheed Martin S-3B Viking patrol aircraft reactivated for a second career as airborne range surveillance assets.

The USN's last operational S-3B squadron, VS-22, was decommissioned in September 2008 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in a move that marked the end of the Viking's front-line flying career. VS-22's final five-month deployment saw the type operating out of Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in 2008 rather than from a carrier.

Naval Weapons Test Squadron VX-30 subsequently identified the utility of the S-3B and its AN/APS-137 imaging radar for range clearance and surveillance operations at Point Mugu, California.

FRCSE in March 2009 inducted the first S-3B – Bu No 160147 – for a series of planned maintenance intervals (PMIs), with the aircraft being stripped down, inspected and repaired as required.

149 of 304 words

Most Viewed Articles

  1. Russia drafts law to fine companies for failing to meet defence orders
  2. US Army seeks to end its Individual Carbine competition
  3. US to arm Syrian rebels in response to sarin attacks
  4. Raytheon to test laser-guided Excalibur rounds
  5. Indian Scorpene programme faces further delays
  6. USN performs first hard-kill SSDS test from carrier
  7. F-35 officials say production increase likely
  8. F-35 officials say production increase likely
  9. Hungary issues tender for transport aircraft
  10. UK warns Scottish defence industries of loss of 'privileged' access to US market
Following the decommissioning of the USN's last operational S-3B squadron in September 2008, Naval Weapons Test Squadron VX-30 subsequently identified the utility of the S-3B for range clearance and surveillance operations.
Following the decommissioning of the USN's last operational S-3B squadron in September 2008, Naval Weapons Test Squadron VX-30 subsequently identified the utility of the S-3B for range clearance and surveillance operations.(NAVAIR)

About IHS

Industry Solutions

Products & Services

Recent Acquisitions

Close window

To change the font size, press Ctrl and (- or +)

Help, that didn't work

To change the font size, Ctrl + (- or +)

If that didn’t work, try the following:

Microsoft Internet Explorer

  1. From the View menu, select Text Size
  2. Select an option from Smallest to Largest

Firefox or Netscape

  1. From the View menu, select Zoom or Text Size
  2. Select Increase or Decrease

Google Chrome

  1. Click the wrench icon next to the address bar.
  2. Next to Zoom, select + or -