The ES-3A Shadow variant of the basic S-3 Viking airframe was a short-lived but immensely valuable and capable platform optimized for signals capture and analysis.
The heart of the Shadow was an avionics suite based on the Aries II system of the land-based EP-3E Orion. The Shadow’s fuselage was packed with sensor stations and processing equipment and the exterior sports over 60 antennae. The ES-3A Shadow crew was comprised of a pilot, an naval flight officer, and two systems operators. Advanced sensor, navigation and communications systems allow the Shadow’s four-person crew to collect extensive data and distribute high-quality information through a variety of channels to the carrier battle group. This gave the battle group commander a clear picture of potential airborne, surface and sub-surface threats. Missions flown by the detachment included over-the-horizon (OTH) targeting, strike support, war at sea and reconnaissance.
The ES-3A was considered a direct replacement for the EA-3B Skywarrior, yet had the same flight characteristics as the base Viking albeit with a slight decrease in top end speed. It was also capable of providing aerial refueling in addition to its electronic work.
Two squadrons, VQ-5 and VQ-6, were established in 1991 with one based on each coast of the US. In total, 16 Vikings were converted to the ES-3A configuration and they were typically operated two aircraft per deployed carrier. The squadrons were disestablished in 1999.
** Note the Bat on the vertical stabilizer
Station HYPO 
30 August 2025 at 07:00
I heard that the ES-3A was removed from service because the Super Hornet was over budget, so the Shadow was cut to fund it. Does anyone know if there’s any truth in that?
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30 August 2025 at 07:31
My brother-in-law, CAPT John R. Teates was the first Skipper of VQ-5! he flew as the Eval in EA-3Bs with VQ-1 at the same time I was a Spook flying in VQ-2 EA-3Bs. We have some great sea stories we both share.
Bill Carter
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30 August 2025 at 20:24
NSA did not consider it a technically capable or reliable collector and laughed when it was suggested as a substitute for RJ or the EP-3
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31 August 2025 at 20:45
The ES-3 was cancelled when NAVAIR was told they had to contribute 230M for their share of IT-21. The ES-3 budget was almost exactly 230M. So, vertically cutting the Shadow protected the Hornet program.
NAVAIR also cancelled the Common Support Aircraft at the same time. It was supposed to replace the C-2, E-2 and be the organic tanker.
The F/A-18E was not to be touched.
I was at the meeting at Pax River when OPNAV N88 announced these decisions.
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1 September 2025 at 07:59
Both the EA-3B and ES-3A were fleet support assets. Any info collected which would be of value to the NSA would be forwarded. BUT these platforms were Fleet Assets and their main mission was DIRSUP.
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1 September 2025 at 08:03
Both the EA-3B and ES-3A were fleet support assets. Any info obtained which would be useful to the NSA would be forwarded to it. The primary mission of both platforms was DIRSUP.
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