Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King

History of the Sikorsky SH-3 Aquaman

In its heyday, the Sikorsky SH-3 family of naval helicopters was a widely deployed and successful platform for a variety of surface missions, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) operations. The development stemmed from a 1957 United States Navy (USN) request to have an airworthy prototype built by 1959. The first flight took place on March 11, 1959, and it entered service in 1961.

Production time span from 1959 to the 1970s.

During the Cold War, the Soviet Navy had invested heavily in its submarine force, and in response the US Navy was forced to modernize its surface fleet to deal with underwater threats. This includes strengthening the Luftwaffe's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role, which is what components like the Sea King are designed for.

The resulting Sikorsky design became a mid-range twin-engine amphibious system, providing appropriate support for anti-submarine mission equipment and shipboard combat capabilities.

The prototype is designated XHSS-2 and is a one-off example. YHSS-2 represents the pre-production form, and a total of 7 were built. HSS-2 was Sea King's original operational designation until the 1962 reorganization of the U.S. military changed it to SH-3. Thus, the original HSS-2 has now become the serving SH-3A.

The brand produced a total of 245.

The combat SAR platform is known as the HH-3A, and twelve consist of the existing SH-3A stockpile. CH-3A is a generic military transport brand serving the United States Air Force. Three were converted from the SH-3A model, later designated CH-3B.

Various other designs have been provided or tested. The NH-3A (S-61F) is a compound helicopter developed for high-speed testing. The RH-3A is a special minesweeper. The VH-3A is an Army and USMC VIP transport aircraft. SH-3D became the ASW mold and 73 were produced. VH-3D is its VIP version.

SH-3G is responsible for loading the cargo, 105 are converted from SH-3A and SH-3D stock. The SH-3H is an upgraded anti-submarine warfare model, while the other branch becomes the Airborne Early Warning (AEW) form.

The Canadian version was known under the name CH-124 and took over its role with similar names (A, B, C, etc...). The British Westland Sea King is a British-built SH-3. Augusta in Italy, like Mitsubishi in Japan, produced the series under local license.

Global operators from Argentina and Brazil to Saudi Arabia and Venezuela - this is how popular and effective the design is.

When built, the helicopter relied on a crew of four, including two pilots and a pair of anti-submarine system operators. There is more room for three additional employees. The curb weight is 11,865 pounds and the MTOW is 22,050 pounds.

Power comes from 2 General Electric T58-GE-10 series turboshaft engines, each producing 1,400 hp, driving a five-blade main rotor and a five-blade tail rotor (located on the port side). The tricycle landing gear is mounted on wheels, and the two main legs are retractable.

In terms of performance, the SH-3 has a top speed of 166 mph, a range of up to 620 miles, and a service ceiling of 14,700 feet. Climb speeds of up to 2,220 feet per minute.

The armament usually consists of one or two Mark 44 or Mark 46 anti-submarine homing torpedoes, but the platform is also capable of firing B-57 nuclear depth charges and conventional naval depth charges, with a door-mounted machine-mounted firearm for on-site use Defensive use.

In service, SH-3 helicopters are required to perform one of the more important roles in fleet defense - protecting enemy submarines. As such, the aircraft is often the first airborne platform during anti-submarine warfare, demonstrating the importance of this type to any global naval service. With the help of AQS-81B submersible sonar, MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector), sonobuoys, search radar and fleet-wide connectivity, Sea King can provide readings and attack threats directly to the entire fleet.

The chaff pod is used to defend against enemy surface-to-air missiles (SAM).

The Aquaman series developed into a versatile performer that also allows for medical evacuation and simple transport applications. In the former, more than 20 wounded can be carried upstairs or replaced by 9 medical stretchers. Additionally, approximately 28 combat-ready troops can be transported when equipped with a personnel transport role. An interesting aspect of the Aquaman's design is its ability to land directly on water. While the total time it can remain afloat is inherently limited, the helicopter is designed to support this capability in situations where a water landing is required (for example, to rescue a downed pilot).

While this feature seems useful, it was rarely used throughout the SH-3's career.

Sea King appeared in other notable camouflages during his golden years of service, most notably "Marine One" - the US President's VIP transport helicopter (served by the US Marine Corps). In Apollo Astronaut 14 also mentioned the use of SH-3 during the recovery process after landing in the ocean. The HH-3E "Happy Hulk" developed from the S-61R served the USAF in a search and rescue role well during the Vietnam conflict.

The HH-3F is called the "Pelican" by the U.S. Coast Guard and is used for search and rescue.

In service with the US Navy, the SH-3 was replaced by the Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk, a variant of the US Army's venerable UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The official USN retirement of the SH-3 was in 2006.

As of this writing (2019), some of Sea King's global operators still exist, although the best days for helicopters are clearly over.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes