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H-3 Sea King

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US Navy Sea King
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US Navy Sea King

Several UH-3 Sea Kings taking off
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Several UH-3 Sea Kings taking off

The Sikorsky UH-3 Sea King (also known as Sikorsky S-61) is a twin-engined multi-purpose helicopter. It served with the United States Navy and other forces, and in many countries around the world.

Contents

Overview

Designed by Sikorsky, the Sea King first flew in 1959, and was operational with the United States Navy in June 1961 as the "HSS-2". The designation for the aircraft was changed with the introduction of the unified aircraft designation system in 1962 to the "H-3". It was intended from the start to be used for shipboard operations (e.g., the five-bladed rotors can be folded for easy stowage). It was used primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also served in anti-ship, search and rescue, transport, communications, executive transport and Airborne Early Warning roles. In the US Navy, it was replaced in the ASW and S&R roles by the SH-60 Sea Hawk during the 1990s, but continues in service for other roles, for ASW in the reserves, and around the world. All H-3 aircraft still in US Navy service are used in the logistics support, range support, Search and Rescue, test, and VIP transport roles.

The Westland Sea King variant was manufactured under license by Westland Helicopters, Ltd. in the United Kingdom, who developed a specially modified version for the Royal Navy. It is powered by a pair of British Rolls-Royce Bristol Gnome turbines, and has British avionics and ASW equipment. This variant first flew in 1969, and entered service the next year. It was also used by the Royal Air Force and has been sold round the world. Aircraft were also manufactured under license in Japan.

Countries to which the Sea King has been exported include Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand, Venezuela and the United Kingdom.

Armaments and equipment of Sea Kings vary widely with their role. Typical armaments can be four torpedoes, four depth charges or two anti-ship missiles (Sea Eagle or Exocet). A large Chaff Pod was sometimes carried for anti-ship missile defense of the Carrier Battle Group. ASW equipment included a dipping sonar, sonobouys, Magnetic Anomaly Detector, and Data link. In the Search and Rescue role the cabin can accommodate 22 survivors or nine stretchers and two medical officers. In the troop transport role 28 soldiers can be accommodated.

Because of its amphibious hull, the Sea King has the ability to land on water. However, this is a risky maneuver and used only in emergencies, as the hull can only remain watertight for a few minutes. The sponsons were fitted with deployable airbags to enhance floatation.

A "Sea King" is used as the official helicopter of the President of the United States and is operated by the United States Marine Corps. It is known as "Marine One" when the president is actually aboard.

The "S-61" was also built under licence in Italy by Agusta.

Canadian experience

Canadian Navy CH-124 Sea King
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Canadian Navy CH-124 Sea King

Canadian Coast Guard Sikorsky S-61
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Canadian Coast Guard Sikorsky S-61

The Royal Canadian Navy was authorized to purchase 41 Sea King models in 1963, designating them "CH-124". The helicopters at that time were state of the art and served well, being well liked by crews. The RCN developed a technique for landing the huge helicopters on small ship decks, using a 'hauldown' winch (called a 'bear trap'), earning aircrews the nickname of 'Crazy Canucks'. In 1968, the RCN, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Canadian Army unified to form the Canadian Armed Forces; air units were dispersed throughout the new force structure until Air Command (AIRCOM) was created in 1975.

As the Sea Kings' air frames, engines and avionics systems aged over their years of service in the RCN, and later AIRCOM, they became increasingly unreliable and harder to maintain. Twelve have crashed, killing ten personnel. Each Sea King now requires over 30 hours of maintenance for every hour of flying time, a figure described by the Canadian Naval Officers Association as 'grossly disproportionate' [link]. The helicopters are unavailable for operations 40% of the time and due to the fact that the airframes are 10-15 years older than other Sea Kings flying in allied air forces, AIRCOM is frequently forced to have spare parts custom-made as Sikorsky's supplies are either overly expensive or no longer exist. AIRCOM's Sea Kings are now widely perceived as unreliable, outdated and expensive to maintain, by observers both inside and outside the Canadian Forces. In late 2003, the entire fleet was grounded (except for essential operations) for several weeks after two aircraft coincidentally lost power within a few days of each other.

Efforts by AIRCOM to find a replacement for the helicopters have been hampered by political considerations. In 1987, the Progressive Conservative government announced the purchase of 48 EH-101 helicopters to replace both the "CH-124 Sea King" and CH-113 Labrador fleets at a cost of $4.4 billion (CAD). Two variants of the EH-101 were being considered, with 33 "CH-148 Petrel" ship-borne anti-submarine models and 15 "CH-149 Chimo" variants for maritime and Arctic search and rescue. In 1992, just as the contract was to be finalised, the same government announced that the actual order was being reduced to 28 Petrels and 15 Chimos.

However, following a change of government in October 1993, the incoming Liberal Party ordered AIRCOM to immediately cancel the entire order, forcing the payment of cancellation fees of $500 million (CAD). When it subsequently became clear that new helicopters were still desperately needed to replace AIRCOM's "CH-124 Sea King" fleet, the Liberal government began a tortured procurement process that critics have accused of being deliberately tailored to prevent the EH-101 from being chosen as a candidate. The Liberal leader, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien had disparagingly referred to the EH-101 as a 'Cadillac' during a time of government restraint and deficit fighting.

It was only after Chrétien's retirement in December 2003 that the competition was finally re-opened. In July 2004, it was announced that the Sea Kings will be replaced by the new Sikorsky H-92, carrying a General Dynamics mission package, with the first of 28 models designated the "CH-148 Cyclone" scheduled for delivery in 2008.

The Canadian Coast Guard continues to operates the S-61 variant.

Specifications (SH-3)

Orthographically projected diagram of the SH-3 Sea King.

H-3 Variants

German Sea King
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German Sea King

Sea King as Marine One
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Sea King as Marine One

An H-3 Sea King during Apollo 17 recovering operations, with the USS Ticonderoga in the background
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An H-3 Sea King during Apollo 17 recovering operations, with the USS Ticonderoga in the background

External links

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