Submitted by PMA 290 Public Affairs

Carrier suitability tests for an upgrade to the S-3B Viking concluded on Sept. 1, at NAVAIR Patuxent River, and the last remaining Patuxent River-based S-3B aircraft was transferred to the fleet. This achievement gives this platform an enhanced capability to better meet fleet needs until the retirement of the aircraft in coming years.

The S-3B Viking is an all weather, carrier-based jet aircraft, providing protection against hostile surface combatants while also functioning as the Carrier Battle Groups' primary overhead/mission tanker. Extremely versatile, the aircraft is equipped for many missions, including day/night surveillance, electronic countermeasures, command/control/communications warfare, and search and rescue.

Cmdr. Alan Micklewright, of VX-20 and Lt. Jamie Chitko, of VX-1, flew VX-1’s S-3B for the first day of the event that consisted of catapult testing, and Lt. Cmdr. Scott Josselyn of VX-20, joined Micklewright for the second day’s carrier landing tests in support of the Mass Memory Unit (MMU) project.

MMU is a digital mission playback system, the AN/ASH-42 Digital Data Set, that revolutionizes the way S-3B Viking aircrew handle mission data. The system replaces the S-3B digital memory unit and transportable cartridge as well as the USH-42 Mission Recorder/Reproducer Set. In the new system, a 14-gigabyte hard drive, called the removable memory module, will replace both the 8 mm recorder tapes and the large transportable cartridge that contained the mission program and preflight data.

With an accompanying ground station, Viking aircrew will be able to program all preflight data such as electronic emitter parameters, navigation references, and LINK-11, in the comfort of their own ready room on a laptop computer integrated with the Navy Portable Flight Planning System (N-PFPS). Additionally, all post-flight analysis, including review of in-flight recorded video and audio will be possible at the same laptop ground station.

Interoperability with the Carrier Tactical Support Centers ashore or afloat, will no longer be required as aircrew aboard the S-3B assume these capabilities. Completion of this modification in all S-3B aircraft is planned to take place during fiscal year 2005.

The aircraft used for the testing was subsequently transferred to the VS-24 Scouts on Sept. 13, from VX-1. Lt. Jamie Chitko and Lt. Cmdr. Mark Andreas, VX-1’s training officer, flew Pax River’s last remaining S-3B to Jacksonville, Fl, for the transfer.

For more information about this release contact PMA 290 Public Affairs at (301) 342-0207.

Photo Cutline:
Photo by Rebecca March - The S-3B completes carrier landing tests on Sept. 1, at NAVAIR Patuxent River, Md.