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THE LOCKHEED S-3 VIKING
As opposed to today's carrier air wing, which consists of only a few aircraft types (Super Hornet, Hawkeye and Greyhound), the air wing of the 70's and 80's was a diverse bunch, each with their unique role. Among them was a twin-engine jet that looked more like a mini-airliner than a front-line naval warplane. The Lockheed S-3 Viking, which first flew in January 1972, was developed for the anti-submarine role, and later took on anti-surface and refueling missions given its excellent versatility. Later variants would also provide the fleet with electronic warfare and surveillance capabilities. The Viking was affectionately known around the carrier as the 'Hoover' given the unique low-pitched noise its turbofan engines made.
After more than 40 years of having proven itself across the world's oceans with the US Navy, the Viking was finally retired from front line service in 2009 and made its last flight with the Navy in 2016. Many thought that was the end of the Viking's story...but they were wrong.
NASA 601 (BuNo 160607) – LAST BUT NOT LEAST
NASA’s Viking must really like being last. The last Viking off the assembly line, 601 will most likely also be the last Viking ever to take to the skies. First procured by the US Navy in July 1978, NASA’s Viking was first assigned to Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS-22) “Checkmates.” In July 1982, 601 was transferred to VS-24 “Scouts” for five months before making its way back to VS-22. The two squadrons swapped 601 a few more times before it made its way to VS-28 “Gamblers,” VS-27 “Sea Wolves,” and VS-41 “Shamrocks.”
During its service life, 601 was upgraded from an S-3A to an S-3B which included an upgrade in avionics, installation of an AN/APS-137 inverse synthetic aperture radar, a Joint Tactical Information Distribution System and the ability to launch the AGM-84 Harpoon. Finally, in November 2002, 601 was transferred to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Twenty (VX-20) at NAS Patuxent River. By the time NASA 601’s tenure with the US Navy was finally at an end, it had accumulated 9,381 hours of flight time including 1,966 arrested landings and 1,926 catapult launches.
NASA 601 was transferred to NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) on March 31, 2004 after which it was sent to a Boeing facility in Jacksonville, FL for
modifications that would enable NASA to use it as the (CONTINUED ON PAGE 24)