Description: 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.
Features: 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.
Background: 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.