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posted by Jiri Wagner
Jet aircraft, used to collect and disseminate tactical reconnaissance information. The aircraft resembles the S-3 Viking, from which it is derived, with the addition of numerous antennas and antenna housings.
The ES-3 Shadow, replaced the EA-3 Skywarrior and entered fleet service in 1993. The ES-3 is a carrier-based, subsonic, all-weather, long-range, electronic reconnaissance aircraft. It operates primarily with carrier battle groups providing Indications and Warning (I&W) support to the battle group and joint theater commanders. It carries an extensive suite of electronic sensors and communications gear.
All 16 ES-3 aircraft are modified S-3 Viking airframes. The S-3's gear was removed and the bomb bay converted to avionics racks to accommodate the ES-3's sensors. The first ES-3A was delivered in 1991, and the last one in 1993. U.S. carriers typically deploy with two Shadow aircraft embarked
General characteristics |
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| Primary function | Electronic warfare | |
| Contractor | Lockheed-California Company | |
| Power plant | Two General Electric TF-34-GE-400B turbofan engines | |
| Thrust | 2x 9,275 lb | 2x 41.26 kN |
| Length | 53 ft 4 in | 16 m |
| Wingspan | 68 ft 8 in | 20.6 m |
| Height | 22 ft 9 in | 6.9 m |
| Max. takeoff weight | 52,539 lb | 23,643 kg |
| Speed | 518 mph | 829 km/h |
| Ceiling | 40,000 ft | 12,192 m |
| Range | 2,645 miles | 4,232 km |
| Armament | None | |
| Crew | Four | |
| Unit cost | $27 million (original airframe) + $65 million (conversion) = $92 million | |
| Dates deployed | September 1993 | |
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