Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King
The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is an American helicopter built by Sikorsky. It was used by the U.S. Navy between 1961 and 2006 for finding and destroying submarines, search and rescue, and utility. It produced under licence in Italy, Japan, and United Kingdom for military users. Civil helicopters are known as Sikorsky S-61.
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| US Navy's SH-3 Sea King in 1982. | |
| Role | Helicopter |
| National origin | USA |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky. |
| First flight | March 11th, 1959. |
| Status | Active |
| Primary user | US Navy |
| Unit cost | 6.4 millions $. |
Design
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is a twin-engines helicopter, with a five-blade rotor. It is made of metal. It can carry torpedos or naval missiles like American Harpoon or French Exocet. It can carry up to 15 passengers or injured on board. The cockpit is for two people, pilot and co-pilot.
Military users
Sea King is (or was) used in 2013 by : Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and USA. Countries that used British versions of Sea King are not included, see at Westland Sea King.
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King Media
SH-3 Sea King dipping a sonar, 1983
The prototype Sikorsky XHSS-2 Sea King conducts water landing trials.
SH-3As of HS-6 above Kearsarge in the early 1960s
SH-3A landing on the sea in 1964
The NH-3A prototype, which tested outfitting a Sea King with fixed wings and jet engines
SH-3H deploying a dipping sonar, 1989
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron HS-12 "Wyverns" flying SH-3H Sea Kings in formation, 1985
Several UH-3H Sea Kings taking flight to fight the Cedar Fire in San Diego, California, in 2003
U.S. Marine Corps VH-3 Sea King, operating as Marine One, landing on the south lawn of the White House
A SH-3G Sea King helps recover Apollo 17. Ticonderoga is in the background
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Bibliography
- Jackson, Robert, Helicopters: Military, Civilian, and Rescue Rotorcraft (The Aviation Factfile). London: Grange Books Ltd, 2005. ISBN 1-84013-812-2.
- Gaillard, Pierre, Avions et hélicoptères militaires d'aujourd'hui Paris, France : Larivière éditions, 1999. ISBN 2-907051-24-5.
- Biass, Eric H. World Helicopter Systems. Geneva, Switzerland : Interavia Data, 1985.
