Viking S-3 VX-31 Bloodhounds
The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four seat jet aircraft that was used by the United States Navy to identify, track, and destroy enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface surveillance capabilities to the carrier battle group. A carrier-based, subsonic, all-weather, multi-mission aircraft with long range, it carried automated weapon systems, and was capable of extended missions with in-flight refueling. Because of the engines’ low-pitched sound, it was nicknamed the "Hoover" after the vacuum cleaner brand.
The S-3 was retired from front-line fleet service aboard aircraft carriers by the US Navy in January 2009, with its missions being assumed by other platforms such as the P-3C Orion, SH-60 Seahawk, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Several examples continue to be flown by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE ZERO (VX-30) at NAS Point Mugu, California for range clearance and surveillance operations[1] and a single example is operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Retro paint represent an early tactical paint scheme on TBF Avengers circa the Battle of Midway June 1942.