The S-3 Viking jet loses relevance and retires after decades of service

The S-3 Viking, an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft used by the United States Navy, experienced a significant decline in relevance following the collapse of the Soviet Union in late 1991. Originally designed to detect and counter Soviet submarines, the S-3's operational necessity diminished as global military dynamics shifted. The aircraft was distinctive, featuring an extra-large horizontal stabilizer, and it was powered by twin GE turbofan engines, which allowed for efficient long-distance operations critical for ASW missions. Notably, the S-3 was equipped with advanced technology for its time, including a General Purpose Digital Computer (GPDC) which significantly improved system integration and monitoring by the crew. However, this reliance on technology was somewhat marred by occasional malfunctions, especially during the high-stress conditions of catapult launches, leading to the need for mid-flight reboots of the system. In its later years, the aircraft transitioned from an ASW role to being used as a tanker, resulting in a reduction of crew members from four to three. The final phasing out of the S-3 from service occurred in 2016, with NASA using the aircraft for research until its retirement in 2021, solidifying the end of an era for a plane that had served the Navy for several decades.