B747-400
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
Shortly after takeoff; we experienced a compressor stall in Number 3 engine.  We retarded the thrust lever and were able to keep the engine running without any exceeding any parameters.  We then had to dump fuel to be within landing limits.  We then returned to airport of departure with no further issues.
B747-400 Captain reported returning to departure airport after experiencing a compressor stall in the Number 3 engine.