High Gallery
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Military Aircraft SH-3 SEA KING Photo By Salamander |
| Experience with the HSS-1 Sea bat persuaded the US Navy that an effective submarine hunter/killer helicopter for ship borne use needed turbo shaft power, and in 1957 the service contracted for the S-61 design with an amphibious boat hull. This first flew in March 1959 as the XHSS-2 for a service debut in September 1961 as the HSS-2 with 1,250-shp T58-GE-8B engines and dunking sonar as its main sensor. In 1962 type was redesignated SH-3A, and total production of 324 for the US Navy was complemented by Canadian and Japanese production. The only other production model for the US Navy was the SH-3D, of which 72 were built with more power, greater fuel capacity, and improved sonar. The two later US Navy model were produced as conversion, and the type is now being replaced by the same company's Sh-60 series. Somewhat different models have been built in Great Britain and Italy. |
| Description | Specifications |
|
Manufacture: Sikorsky |
Height: 15 ft. 6 in. |
| First Flight: March 1959 | Empty Weight: 11,865 lb. |
| Model: D | Max. Weight: 21,500 lb. |
| Crew: Four | Armament: Up to 840 lb. of torpedoes or depth charges. |
| Nickname: Sea King |
Dimensions |
| Basic Role: Ship borne anti submarine. | Main Rotor Diameter: 62 ft. 0 in. |
| Other
Versions: SH-3A initial American model.
VH-3A VIP transport. HSS-2 Japanese version. CH-124 Canadian version. SH-3D improved version model. VH-3D VIP transport. HSS-2A Japanese model. HH-3F Pelican SAR version for the US Coast Guard. SH-3G conversion for the utility role. SH-3H conversion with improved sensors including high definition radar for the anti submarine, anti ship and missile detection roles. S-61D-4 Argentine version. |
Length Overall Rotor Turning: 72 ft. 8 in. |
| Principal User: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Spain, and USA. | Main Rotor Disk Area: 3,019.8 sq. ft. |
|
Performance |
Propulsion |
| Range: 625 miles. | Power Plant: General Electric T58-GE-10 turbo shafts. |
| Max. Speed: 166 mph. at optimum altitude. | Horsepower: 1,400-shp. |
| Ceiling: 14,700 ft. | No. Of Engines: Two |
| Climb Rate: 2,200 ft. per minute. |