The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King was a ship-based, anti-submarine warfare, combat search and rescue helicopter in service with the US Navy between 1961 and 2006. Designed and developed by the American firm Sikorsky Aircraft, it was also produced under license by the Italian company Agusta, under the designation of H-3, and the British Westland. It was one of the longest-serving aircraft, which is still being used by the Brazilian, Malayan, and Peruvian Navy. During the Vietnam War, it was intensely employed as a search and rescue helicopter, flying sorties looking for downed American pilots.
The SH-3 Sea King was formerly known as the S-61, which was the company designation. It flew for the first time, as a prototype, on March 11, 1959. It would be introduced into service with the US Navy under the official denomination HSS-2 on June 18, 1961, after two years of flight trials. However, this label would soon be changed to SH-3 when a new aircraft designation system was introduced. Being fitted with the AQS-10 dipping sonar and the APN-130 radar, it played the role of the submarine hunter and killer during the Cold War years. The latest variant before being withdrawn from service was the SH-3H. A total of 1,400 helicopters would be produced until 1979.
Technical Description
The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King was a medium-size, twin-engine helicopter, fitted with a water-tight boat hull (fuselage), making it capable to land on water for brief periods. The prototype XHSS-2 was powered by a pair of General Electric T58 GE-6 turboshaft engines. The SH-3A, SH-3D, and SH-3H were equipped with two General Electric T58 GE-10 turboshafts, each delivering 1,400 horsepower. This power plant provided impressive performance under severe conditions, allowing the aircraft to carry substantial underslung loads. All Sea Kings were fitted with a five-blade main rotor. These blades could be folded aft for storage and they were interchangeable. Meanwhile, the anti-torque tail rotor was mounted on the port side and it was also equipped with five blades.
Specifications (SH-3H)
Type: anti-submarine warfare helicopter
Weight: 4,428 kg (9,762-lb), empty.
Length: 22.15 m (72 feet, 8 inches)
Height: 5.13 m (16 feet, 10 inches)
Rotor Diameter: 18.8 m (62 feet)
Rotor Disc Area: 280.47 m2 (3,019 square feet)
Power Plant: two 1,400-HP, General Electric T58-GE-10 turboshaft engines.
Maximum Speed: 267 km/h (166 mph)
Range: 1005 km (624 miles)
Service Ceiling: 4,480 m (14,698 feet)
Crew: 3
Armament: up to 4 Mk-48 torpedoes.
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| Above, a SH-3H variant from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS-11) Dragon Slayers. |
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| A SH-3 belonging to SH-9 from Carrier Air Wing 8 flying a mission with its Brazilian counterpart during naval exercises in 2003. |
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| A SH-3D Sea King of HS-4 Black Knights off the USS Hornet (CVS-12) aircraft carrier rescuing the astronauts from Apollo 17 mission capsule floating on the Pacific Ocean. |
Below, a Sikorsky SH-3, # 64, rescues the astronauts from Apollo 11 mission (footage)