An upgraded Viking as a carrier ASW option

Would renewed fixed-wing carrier ASW require a purpose-built aircraft?

An upgraded stored S-3 Viking was a possible alternative if enough usable flight hours remained.

Stored S-3 Vikings were a possible shortcut to restoring fixed-wing carrier anti-submarine capability in this 2020 proposal. Their usefulness would depend on having enough flying life left to justify upgrading them. Reactivation offered an alternative to developing a new aircraft or adapting a fighter. It remained a possible option, with no claim that returning the Viking was the preferred or selected solution.