Lockheed US-3A Viking

The Lockheed US‑3A Viking is a naval utility transport variant of the S‑3 Viking anti‑submarine aircraft, built by Lockheed Corporation for the United States Navy in the late 1970s. Developed from the successful S‑3A and S‑3B platforms, the US‑3A entered service in 1978 to replace the aging Grumman C‑1 Trader, providing a modern, jet‑powered solution for carrier‑based personnel and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and surveillance missions. Powered by two General Electric TF34‑P-2 turbofan engines, the Viking offers a maximum speed of 450 knots, a range of over 2,500 nautical miles, and a spacious 30‑foot cabin capable of carrying up to 30 passengers, twenty‑four passengers plus a litter patient, or 6,500 pounds of cargo. Its rear loading ramp and robust landing gear enable operations on cramped carrier decks and austere airfields. The aircraft’s integrated navigation suite, digital flight controls, and advanced avionics derived from its anti‑submarine predecessor give it superior reliability and situational awareness. Though only 25 airframes were produced before the program’s termination in the early 1990s, the US‑3A proved pivotal in streamlining carrier logistics, extending the utility of the Viking airframe, and influencing later multi‑role naval transport designs.

Lockheed Corporation

Lockheed US-3A Viking

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