Jacksonville, Fla.—It seemed highly likely the dependable S-3B Viking aircraft would be heading for the bone yard when the only remaining S-3 squadron, Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS-22), was decommissioned Sept. 25, 2008 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

Instead, the skilled artisans at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) are working their magic to resurrect three of these versatile, all-weather jets. When completed in early January 2010, the first of three restored aircraft will be turned over to Naval Weapons Test Squadron 30 (VX-30) where it will start its new mission.

The “Bloodhounds” of VX-30 at Naval Air Weapons Station, Point Mugu, Calif., were initially interested in the plane’s sophisticated APS-137 ISAR imaging radar. They intended to use it for clearing the Sea Range, the DoD’s largest over-water missile test range with 36,000 square miles of controlled sea and airspace.

VX-30 was looking to upgrade its critical range clearance and surveillance capabilities. In the fall of 2008, they approached the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) S-3 Program Manager Cmdr. Terry Johnson with a proposal to remove the over-the-horizon radar from the decommissioned planes for installation in their older NP-3A Orion aircraft.

After meeting to discuss the proposal, Johnson provided VX-30 the data to conduct a cost/benefit analysis. They determined it made more sense for the squadron to operate the entire aircraft instead of just harvesting the radar system. With final higher echelon approval, the process for restoring the aircraft began in early 2009.

When FRCSE committed to the S-3 maintenance and repair project, the center had to establish the capability. Viking Program Manager Anthony “Tony” Pudoff said, “We
had to set up tooling, find hangar space and hire people with S-3 experience. Basically we had to start all over again.”

The Viking, developed by Lockheed Martin and delivered to military service in 1974, has had an illustrious military career. It made history on March 25, 2003 when it fired the first combat-launched Maverick missile during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition, S-3 squadrons operating from aircraft carriers made numerous sorties, sometimes up to 30 per day in the eastern Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf.

FRCSE inducted the first S-3 for Planned Maintenance Intervals (PMI) 1, 2, 3 in March. VS-22 was using the jets in Iraq several months prior to the squadron’s disestablishment. Pudoff said, “These planes have a lot of dirt in them. We have spent over 500 hours cleaning sand out of these planes and component parts.”

The aircraft are being torn down, inspected and repaired as needed. This unique depot-level restoration will add five to six years of life to the aircraft before another PMI is due.

FRCSE’s Integrated Maintenance Program (IMP) Coordinator and PMA-290 onsite S-3 representative Harry Mattox said, “This is a one-of-a-kind situation that causes us all to dig deep to find these components. We have worked hard at it; we have an outstanding team doing what I believe is an outstanding job.”

The Viking, originally designed to track and destroy enemy submarines, was modified in the late 1990s to remove the acoustic anti-submarine warfare and aerial mining systems. It retained its surveillance, anti-surface warfare and critical aerial refueling roles.

Over the years, the S-3B has evolved into a premier surveillance and precision-targeting platform. With its expansive radar detection range and identification capability, the Viking is destined to play a critical surveillance and reconnaissance role to enhance the VX-30 mission. The FRCSE S-3 team is playing a vital role in accomplishing that goal.
//USN//

10-03A:
FRCSE Artisans conduct a one-of-a-kind depot-level restoration on an S-3 Viking to add five to six years of life to the aircraft before another scheduled maintenance is due. (Photo by Vic Pitts)

10-03B:
FRCSE artisans test the wings’ hydraulics and prepare to insert the locking pins to check the spread configuration on an S-3 Viking undergoing restoration. (Photo by Vic Pitts)

10-03C:
Aircraft Structural Mechanics Alvin Lee Jones (left) and Jason Ebersole (right) clean sand from an S-3B Viking inducted from Iraq. (Photo by Vic Pitts)

10-03D:
Aircraft Mechanics Nate Most (left) and Mickey Burns (right) disassemble an S-3 Wing for inspection. (Photo by Vic Pitts)

10-03E:
Aircraft Mechanic Howard “Duck” Tarvitt conducts maintenance on the wing of an S-3 Viking destined for VX-30 in California. (Photo by Vic Pitts)

10-03F:
Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) Training Lead Raymond Penn measures the distance between the X-Ray machine and the S-3 vertical fin stub former in the FRCSE Hush House. (Photo by Vic Pitts)