『每日軍事武器鑑賞』－ ES-3A「維京之影」電子戰術偵察機

克里斯Chris

ES-3A Shadow



The ES-3A Shadow provides indications and warnings for the Battle Group commander, and is normally assigned to AQ, the Command and Control Warfare commander, for tasking and mission assignment. Lockheed's ES-3A is a high winged, jet powered, twin engine, carrier-based electronic reconnaissance mission aircraft equipped with folding wings, a launch bar, and a tailhook.

The heart of the Shadow is an avionics suite based on the Aries II system of the land-based EP-3E Orion. The Shadow's fuselage is packed with sensor stations and processing equipment, and the exterior sports over 60 antennae. The ES-3A Shadow crew is comprised of a pilot, an NFO, and two systems operators. Advanced sensor, navigation and communications systems allow the Shadow's four-person crew to collect extensive data and distribute high-quality information through a variety of channels to the carrier battle group. This gives the battle group commander a clear picture of potential airborne, surface and sub-surface threats. Missions flown by the detachment include over-the-horizon targeting, strike support, war at sea and reconnaissance.

On January 21st 1972, the first flight of the Navy旧 S-3A "Viking" ushered in a new era in Under Sea Warfare. Built by Lockheed, this carrier based, twin-turbofan jet dramatically improved the Anti-Submarine warfare and Surface Surveillance capability of the Navy. The S-3A Viking replaced the S-2 Tracker and entered fleet service in 1974. All S-3B aircraft are capable of carrying an inflight refueling "buddy" store. This allows the transfer of fuel from the Viking to other Naval strike aircraft, thus extending their combat radius. The last production S-3A was delivered in August 1978.

The ES-3A is a signal intelligence modification of the S-3 Viking anti-submarine aircraft. It replaces the EA-3B Skywarrior (commonly referred to as the Whale), a veteran of over 40 years fleet service. Flying out of NS Rota, Spain, the last EA-3B's in service were retired from the U.S. Navy Oct. 1, 1991. Lockheed Martin has converted 16 S-3A Viking antisubmarine-warfare aircraft into a replacements for the EA-3B. One squadron on each coast has been established and utilizes the designation VQ. This aircraft will serve as the over the horizon "ears" for the modern carrier battlegroup. The ES-3A is configured as an airborne refueling platform and can be utilized in the airborne tanking role.

克里斯Chris

Statistics & Characteristics

Weights

Maximum Launch Weight ........................ 52,539 lbs.
Maximum Field Landing Weight ................. 45,900 lbs.
Maximum Carrier Landing Weight ............... 37,700 lbs.
Weight ....................................... 34,000 lbs.
Internal Fuel (1,933 gals.) .................. 13,142 lbs.
External Fuel (530 gals.) ..................... 3,604 lbs.

Dimensions

Span (folded) ................ 68 ft. 8 in. (29 ft. 6 in.)
Length (folded) .............. 53 ft. 4 in. (49 ft. 5 in.)
Height (folded) .............. 22 ft. 9 in. (15 ft. 3 in.)

Performance

Maximum Speed .................................. 450 knots
Maximum Altitude .............................. 34,000 ft.
Loiter Speed at 20,000 ft. ..................... 210 knots
Maximum endurance ................................  7 hrs.
Ferry Range ........................ 3,000+ nautical miles

克里斯Chris

(文章來自:維京之影)

克里斯Chris

補充：

有16架S-3A在1990年代初期被改裝為ES-3A維京之影(Viking Shadow)電子戰術偵察機，編成VQ-5與VQ-6兩個中隊，部署于辛克空軍基地。在波灣戰爭中這批ES-3A表現優異，但爾後由于其維持費用較高而除役，其任務空缺則由陸基的EP-3E填補。未來S-3B將被目前規劃中的CSA通用支援飛機的反潜壓制機型取代。

Primary Function Antisubmarine Warfare and Sea Surveillance  
Contractor Lockheed-California Company  
Unit Cost $27 million  
Propulsion Two General Electric TF-34-GE-400B turbofan engines (9,275 pounds of thrust each)  
Length 53 feet 4 inches (16 meters)  
Wingspan 68 feet 8 inches (20.6 meters)  
Height 22 feet 9 inches (6.9 meters)  
Weight Max design gross take-off: 52,539 pounds (23,643 kg)  
Speed 450 knots (518 mph, 828.8 kph)  
Ceiling 40,000 feet  
Range 2,300+ nautical miles (2,645 statute miles, 4232 km)  
Armament Up to 3,958 pounds (1,781 kg)
AGM-84 Harpoon
AGM-65 Maverick missiles
torpedoes, mines, rockets and bombs.  
Crew Four  
IOC 1975