S-3A and S-3B Harpoon question

[incredibletwo]

Hi all (again)!

Getting into building my mammoth scenario now. I've come across a possible discrepancy with the introduction of the Harpoon to the S-3A/B Viking fleet, and the in-service date of the "B" model.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_S-3_Viking
This says that the "A" model is capable of launching Harpoon (see specs and given reference), and that the "B" model first flew in 1984.

http://www.naval-technology.com/project ... -aircraft/
This says that all "A" models were converted to "B" standard starting 1987. In the db the in-service date of the "B" is 1991.

Cheers!

P.S. I don't mean to nitpick or be a pain [:)]

[mikmykWS]

Hi

Here is a good resource that give details

http://www.airvectors.net/avs3.html

So I think the IOC for the B might be adjusted to 1988 (test to operational squadron).

Notice this bit on Harpoon integration.

Support of the McDonnell Douglas AGM-84A Harpoon antiship cruise missile. The radar system was also enhanced to provide targeting for the Harpoon. Carriage of the Harpoon had actually been trialed on an S-3A in 1975, but limited resources prevented full qualification at the time. A few S-3Bs were later modified to carry the AGM-65F Maverick air-to-surface missile, this variant of the missile being fitted with an imaging infrared seeker for antiship strike.

So tested on the A but never used until the B updates.

[incredibletwo]

Nice doc! [:)]

[mikmykWS]

It will be interesting to see what ultimately happens with the S-3B's at AMARC. Been a few reports that they've been pitched to several South American Navies and South Korea.

[ComDev]

Guess its 1990; the first squadron deployed in March of that year:
 
http://www.amarcexperience.com/ui/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=131&catid=8
 
Have updated the database, thanks! [8D]

[incredibletwo]

Fair enough
I can still use it in my 1985-based mega-scen (basis of which is older platforms were updated and defence projects were smashed through).

Cheers lads!

[mikmykWS]

Yeah do what you want.

Mike

[incredibletwo]

Thanks for the support!! [8D]