Ken Middleton Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 (edited) A huge thanks to a certain central Floridian resident (:() and his making my visit happen on 15 November. Also, huge thanks to "Big John" and Master Chief Dave for their superb hospitality, especially for a last minute request. Can't thank all of them enough either. LANTIRN pods from the F-14 community are being added to the S-3 note the license plate Edited November 18, 2006 by Ken Middleton Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted November 18, 2006 Author Share Posted November 18, 2006 a few more and this C-40 from VR-58 - "City of Jacksonville" thanks for looking, Cheers Ken Link to post Share on other sites
Bryan Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 Some great shots Ken.. seems you're getting very handy with the DSLR. regards Link to post Share on other sites
Skull Leader Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 Outstanding shots, Ken! Looks like NAS Jax was really cool about getting you on the line. I wonder when we'll start seeing those LANTIRN pods *on* S-3s and where they will be mounted? Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 Outstanding shots, Ken! Looks like NAS Jax was really cool about getting you on the line. I wonder when we'll start seeing those LANTIRN pods *on* S-3s and where they will be mounted? Already seen a few mounted on the starboard side pylon. Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 Great photos. And it's neat to see all those multicolored LANTIRNs lying side by side. Link to post Share on other sites
DutyCat Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 VS-24 was my fleet squadron, so it is good to see some pics of them. It's also interesting to see the evolution of the squadron markings on these birds over the years. Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted November 18, 2006 Author Share Posted November 18, 2006 thanks a lot guys - none of the S-3s had a pod mounted, and we were looking for sure. I know Fuji shot one with it a few weeks back Link to post Share on other sites
otis252 Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 One more time, great as always. If you need someone to just carry your camera bag, let me know. Chuck Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted November 19, 2006 Share Posted November 19, 2006 Looks like a productive trip to Florida, Ken! Nice job. Jake Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Gudbergsson Posted November 19, 2006 Share Posted November 19, 2006 Great pics Ken. Those Vikings sure are nicely weatherd Cheers Andy G Link to post Share on other sites
Fuji Posted November 19, 2006 Share Posted November 19, 2006 A huge thanks to a certain central Floridian resident () and his making my visit happen on 15 November.Also, huge thanks to "Big John" and Master Chief Dave for their superb hospitality, especially for a last minute request. Can't thank all of them enough either. Ken, I'm really glad things worked out for you on this after the false start. Big John say's you're welcome back anytime and that we'll have to come up together. I didn't get a chance to go over to the LANTIRN mod hanger. Mauler 705 came in with the LANTIRN pod during Friday's fly in. There are only two jets right now mod-ed for it, but more very very soon as you saw. The jet with the Florida plate is a former VS-30 jet as all of them had it when they came back from the gulf almost two years ago. Good to see they left it. Did you geta close up of it. Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted November 19, 2006 Author Share Posted November 19, 2006 thanks guys, and thanks Fuji - glad to hear about John's comments :blink: The best close ups of the license plates are probably like the tall shots - can be cropped to see them better Link to post Share on other sites
BjornB17 Posted November 19, 2006 Share Posted November 19, 2006 Are those LANTIRN pods or LIGHTNING pods? Link to post Share on other sites
Fuji Posted November 19, 2006 Share Posted November 19, 2006 Are those LANTIRN pods or LIGHTNING pods? LANTIRN, Surplus from the retired F-14 Fleet Link to post Share on other sites
BjornB17 Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 LANTIRN, Surplus from the retired F-14 Fleet whoops, it would have helped if i read the original post. haha What weapons does the S-3 carry that makes use of a LANTIRN pod? And can these weapons be carried internally or only on the wing? Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 From navy.mil: "LANTIRN provides the aircraft with new capabilities, such as Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR), live video feedback to the ship for real-time use, and video recording for later intelligence debriefing. Future models of LANTIRN will include laser designation capabilities. This sophisticated sensor pod mounts on the aircraft's wing station and is operated by the naval flight officer (NFO) in the right front seat of the aircraft. LANTIRN will allow VS-32 to keep a closer eye on vessels near the carrier and its strike group. “It gives us the capability to stand off and observe vessels from a distance,†said Lt. Matt Russell, of VS-32. “We're the first S-3 squadron to get it, so we're the first-generation experiment.†“The amount of detail and the distance we can see with LANTIRN are both big advantages to the system,†said Russell. “The clarity and range are phenomenal. These advanced abilities translate into a real-world payoff for the Enterprise Strike Group as it continues its mission in the 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO)." As of now I don't think they are using it for weapons delivery. Link to post Share on other sites
BjornB17 Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 thanks! Also, one more question (sorry, i dont mean to be off topic with the thread), but what weapons can an S-3 carry in its bays? Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 (edited) From aerospaceweb.org: ARMAMENT: Gun: none Stations: four hardpoints in two internal weapons bays and two external hardpoints. Air-to-Air Missile: none. Air-to-Surface Missile: two AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-65 Maverick. Bomb: up to twelve Mk 82 GP, Mk 84 GP, up to two B-57 nuclear, cluster bombs. Other: up to six Mk 54/57 depth charges, up to four Mk 46 ASW torpedoes, up to six Mk 53 sea mines, Mk 36 destructors, up to 60 sonobouys, rocket pods, wingtip ECM pods. Edited November 20, 2006 by David Walker Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 thanks! Also, one more question (sorry, i dont mean to be off topic with the thread), but what weapons can an S-3 carry in its bays? BombBays: MK-82 slicks, MK-48/50 torps (yes, they can still carry them). Assorted cross country items like a crate of lobsters and such suspended from the BRU-14 racks. Cheers Atis Link to post Share on other sites
Fouga23 Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 Assorted cross country items like a crate of lobsters and such suspended from the BRU-14 racks. LOL. reminds me of the Alpha jet that had to make an emergency landing because of a "hydrolic leak". Seems every possible place in the airframe was stowed with wine and liquer and they broke at altitude. CC's were p*ssed as h*ll! Link to post Share on other sites
Brady Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 Ken..... It had to be S-3's didn't it? Those are some great shots, thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted November 20, 2006 Author Share Posted November 20, 2006 Ken..... It had to be S-3's didn't it? Those are some great shots, thanks! thanks a lot Brady....how's this one.... Link to post Share on other sites
Fuji Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 thanks a lot Brady....how's this one.... That's AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 thanks a lot Brady....how's this one.... Looks like someone left it out in the parking lot overnight and forgot to turn the alarm on. At least they left the wheels and tires. But I bet the CD player is gone Link to post Share on other sites
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