The first pre-production airframe completed over 1,000 simulated carrier landings and a lifetime of wear on the Viking's landing gear as the LTV (Ling Temco Vought) drop test vehicle. After static testing, this airframe was kept in the LTV boneyard until 1990 when it was shipped to Lockheed Ontario where it was parted out with components utilized for S-3 FRAMP maintenance trainers. Was then transferred to NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida where the remaining fuselage was turned over to the local DRMO for disposal.

The second pre-production airframe logged over two service lifetimes worth of fatigue testing as the Lockheed 'Lifetime Stress Simulation Airframe' and was later storage in a giant bag until it was brought out and modified as the ES-3A static mockup aircraft. This airframe was then moved to the LASC Marietta Georgia facility where it was involved in a Navy Service-Life Assessment Program (SLAP) in an initial effort to extend the service life of the S-3.

YS-3A - This aircraft was accepted by the Navy November 5th, 1971. Upon acceptance this aircraft was maintained by NAVPRO Burbank RDT&E. The prototype first flight was on January 21st, 1972.

Used to spearhead the extensive Lockheed Flight Test Program to evaluate flying qualities and power plant performances. Later transferred to NATC Patuxent River, Maryland (Pax River)for RDT&E.

On August 29th 1975, was transferred to NATF Lakehurst New Jersey for barricade arrestment testing until January 20th, 1976 where it was stricken due to damage during arrestment test. Was then stripped of useful parts and stored at NADEP Alameda bone yard until 1991 when the wingless airframe was sent to Naval Avionics Center in Indianapolis for modifications, but was eventually scrapped and transferred to the local DRMO for disposal.

On display at NAS Jacksonville Aircraft Heritage Park.

Second YS-3A pre-production flight test aircraft used to test structural build-up, flight envelope expansion and basic AFCS. Was also used for stores separation tests and for Lockheed 'Skunk Works', a classified project. This aircraft was accepted by the Navy February 8th, 1972 and was maintained by NAVPRO RDT&E Burbank.

Later transferred and re-designated as a NS-3A and assigned to NATC (FWATD) as a range aircraft from 1984 to 1991. This aircraft returned briefly to LASC in 1988 and was modified as an ES-3A aerodynamic prototype which made its first flight September 7th, 1989.

Was then retired in 1991, to NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida where VS-27 stripped its airframe and restored it to an S-3A configuration and received Sea Control Wing Atlantic markings and on display at NAS Jacksonville Aircraft Heritage Park.

Third of the pre-production flight test aircraft to be equipped with full ASW mission avionics used to conduct evaluations and demonstrations. This aircraft was accepted by the Navy April 18th, 1972 and maintained by NAVPRO.

Was later transferred to VS-41 as RA-52.

Later transferred to NARF Alameda, California and modified as a US-3A which served with VRC-50 as RG-715 and RG-714.

Aircraft History for BuNo 157994

• Later transferred to NARF Alameda, California and modified as a US-3A which served with VRC-50 as RG-715 and RG-714.
• July 1994 Transferred to VS-41 as RG-714 until its retirement and arrived in AMARC in August 1995 and SOC January 2003.