H-3 Sea King
Encyclopedia
The Sikorsky
SH-3 Sea King (company designation S-61) is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare
(ASW) helicopter
. It served with the United States Navy
and other forces, and continues to serve in many countries around the world. The Sea King has been built under license in Italy and Japan, and in the United Kingdom as the Westland Sea King
. The major civil versions are the S-61L and S-61N
.
In 1957, Sikorsky was awarded a contract to develop an all-weather amphibious helicopter
. It would combine submarine hunter and killer roles. It was designed for shipboard operations, as the five main rotor blades as well as tail section with its five blades can be folded for easy stowage. Because of its amphibious
hull
, the Sea King has the ability to land on water. The sponsons were fitted with deployable airbags to enhance flotation.
The prototype flew on 11 March 1959. In late 1961 and early 1962, a modified early production US Navy HSS-2 Sea King was used to break the FAI 3 km, 100 km, 500 km and 1000 km helicopter speed records. This series of flights culminated on February 5, 1962 with the HSS-2 setting an absolute helicopter speed record of 210.6 mph. This record was broken by a modified Sud Super Frelon helicopter on July 23, 1963 with a speed of 217.7 mph.
Armament 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
). It can also readily be configured to deploy the B57 tactical nuclear weapon
. A large Chaff
Pod is sometimes carried for anti-ship missile defense of the Carrier Battle Group
. ASW equipment includes AQS-13B/E dipping sonar
with a 500 foot cable, 5000 watts of power and a Sonar Data Computer for processing sonar and sonobuoy data, 21 sonobuoy
s (various models), ARR-75 Sonobuoy Receivers, ASQ-81 Magnetic Anomaly Detector
(MAD Bird) and AKT-22 Data link
to transmit sonar and sonobuoy data to the rest of the Fleet. 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.
The Sea King first flew on 11 March 1959; it became 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 SH-3A. 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. Aircraft carriers always deployed the Sea King as the first aircraft in the air and the last to land serving in air operations as plane guard
and SAR for the fixed winged aircraft. An SH-3A, operating from the USS New Orleans
amphibious assault ship
, was used in the February 1971 Apollo 14
recovery mission.
In the US Navy, it was replaced in the ASW and SAR 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 in US Navy service are used in the logistics support, range support, Search and Rescue, test, and VIP transport roles. The H-3 was finally retired on 27 January 2006 in a Final Flight ceremony in NAS Norfolk, Virginia, by Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2 (HC-2), the Fleet Angels. HH-3 variants based on the SH-3 airframe were built for the US Air Force.
Sea Kings are used as one of the official helicopters of the President of the United States
and are operated by the United States Marine Corps
. Sea Kings use the call sign Marine One
when the president is aboard.
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YHSS-2 : Prototype and trials aircraft. Seven helicopters were built for the US Navy.
SH-3A : Anti-submarine warfare
helicopter for the US Navy (245 built); originally designated HSS-2.
HH-3A : Search and rescue helicopter for the US Navy (12 converted from SH-3A).
CH-3A : Military transport version for the US Air Force (three converted from SH-3A later became CH-3B).
NH-3A (S-61F): Experimental high speed compound helicopter, with extensive streamlining, no floats, short wings carrying two turbojet engines for extra speed.(1 Converted from SH-3A). Later modified with a tail rotor able to rotate 90° to serve as a pusher propeller.
RH-3A : Minesweeper helicopter for the US Navy (9 converted from SH-3A).
VH-3A : VIP transport helicopter for the US Army and Marine Corps (eight built, plus 2 SH-3A (STAKE) conversions which were rebuilt from damaged helicopters (one YHSS-2 and one SH-3A); originally designated VHSS-2. One (Army operated) was given to Egypt in 1972 and one (also Army operated) crashed at Walker Key, Bahamas in 1973; the rest were returned to the US Navy (HC-6) in 1975/6) and replaced by the VH-3D. At least 2 have subsequently been placed in museums.
CH-3B : Military transport helicopter for the US Air Force.
SH-3D (S-61B) (HSS-2A) : Anti-submarine warfare
helicopter for the US Navy (73 built and two conversions from SH-3As).
SH-3D (S-61B) : Anti-submarine warfare
helicopter for the Spanish Navy (six built).
SH-3D-TS : Anti-submarine warfare version.
VH-3D : VIP transport helicopter for the US Army (until 30 June 1976) and the US Marine Corps.
SH-3G : Cargo, utility transport helicopter for the US Navy (105 Conversions from SH-3A and SH-3D).
SH-3H (HSS-2B) : Anti-submarine warfare
helicopter for the US Navy (Conversions from older versions).
SH-3H AEW : Airborne early warning version for the Spanish navy.
UH-3H : cargo, utility transport version for the US Navy.
S-61A : Export version for the Royal Danish Air Force
. Wider pontoons w/o flotation bags, a 530 liter centre tank instead of a dipping sonar and no automatic powered folding system.
S-61A-4 Nuri: Military transport, search and rescue helicopter for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It can seat up to 31 combat troops (38 built).
S-61A/AH : Utility helicopter for survey work and search and rescue in the Antarctic.
S-61B : Export version of the SH-3 anti-submarine warfare
helicopter for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.
S-61D-3 : Export version for the Brazilian Navy
.
S-61D-4 : Export version for the Argentine Navy
.
S-61NR : Search and rescue version for the Argentine Air Force
.
S-61L/N:
S-61R:
S-61V : Company designation for the VH-3A, (1 built for Indonesia).
S-61V-1 : Export version of the VH-3A, one built for Indonesia.
CH-124 : Anti-submarine warfare
helicopter for the Royal Canadian Navy
(41 assembled by United Aircraft of Canada).
CH-124A : The Sea King Improvement Program (SKIP) added modernized avionics as well as improved safety features.
CH-124B : Alternate version of the CH-124A without a dipping sonar but formerly with a MAD sensor and additional storage for deployable stores. In 2006, the 5 aircraft of this variant were converted to support the Standing Contingency Task Force (SCTF), and were modified with additional troop seats, and frequency agile radios. Plans to add fast-rope capability, EAPSNIPS (Engine Air Particle Separator / Snow & Ice Particle Separator) did not come to fruition.
CH-124B2 : 6 CH-124B's were upgraded to the CH-124B2 standard in 1991-1992. The revised CH-124B2 retained the sonobuoy processing gear to passively detect submarines but, the aircraft was now also fitted with a towed-array sonar to supplement the ship's sonar. Since anti-submarine warfare is no longer a major priority within the Canadian Forces, the CH-124B2 were refitted again to become improvised troop carriers for the newly formed Standing Contingency Task Force.
CH-124C : One CH-124 operated by the Helicopter Operational Test and Evaluation Facility located at CFB Shearwater
. Used for testing new gear, and when not testing new gear, it is deployable to any Canadian Forces ship requiring a helicopter.
CH-124U : Unofficial designation for 4 CH-124's that were modified for passenger/freight transport. One crashed in 1973, and the survivors were later refitted to become CH-124A's.
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 Rolls-Royce Gnome
turbines (license-built T58s), and has British avionics and ASW equipment. This variant first flew in 1969, and entered service the next year. It is also used by the Royal Air Force
in a search and rescue
capacity, and has been sold to many countries around the world.
AS-61A-1 : Italian export model for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
AS-61A-4 : Military transport helicopter, search and rescue helicopter.
AS-61N-1 Silver: License built model of the S-61N, with a shortened cabin.
AS-61VIP : VIP transport helicopter.
ASH-3A (SH-3G) : Utility transport helicopter
ASH-3D : Anti-submarine warfare
helicopter. Flown by the Italian
, Brazilian, Iranian, Peruvian
and Argentinian
navies.
ASH-3TS : VIP, executive transport mission helicopter. Also known as the ASH-3D/TS.
ASH-3H : Anti-submarine warfare
helicopter
HSS-2 : Licence built version of the S-61B as an Anti-submarine warfare
helicopter for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (55 Built).
HSS-2A : Licence built version of the S-61B(SH-3D) as an Anti-submarine warfare
helicopter for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (28 Built).
HSS-2B : Licence built version of the S-61B(SH-3H) as an Anti-submarine warfare
helicopter for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (23 Built).
Sikorsky Aircraft
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
SH-3 Sea King (company designation S-61) is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
(ASW) helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
. It served with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and other forces, and continues to serve in many countries around the world. The Sea King has been built under license in Italy and Japan, and in the United Kingdom as the Westland Sea King
Westland Sea King
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...
. The major civil versions are the S-61L and S-61N
Sikorsky S-61
The Sikorsky S-61L and S-61N are civil variants of the successful SH-3 Sea King helicopter. They are two of the most widely used airliner and oil rig support helicopters built.-Design and development:...
.
Design and development
Amphibious helicopter
An amphibious helicopter is a helicopter that is intended to rest and take off from either land or water. Amphibious helicopters are used for a variety of specialized purposes including air-sea rescue, marine salvage and oceanography, in addition to other tasks that can be accomplished with any...
. It would combine submarine hunter and killer roles. It was designed for shipboard operations, as the five main rotor blades as well as tail section with its five blades can be folded for easy stowage. Because of its amphibious
Amphibious aircraft
An amphibious aircraft or amphibian is an aircraft that can take off and land on either land or water. Fixed-wing amphibious aircraft are seaplanes that are equipped with retractable wheels, at the expense of extra weight and complexity, plus diminished range and fuel economy compared to planes...
hull
Hull (watercraft)
A hull is the watertight body of a ship or boat. Above the hull is the superstructure and/or deckhouse, where present. The line where the hull meets the water surface is called the waterline.The structure of the hull varies depending on the vessel type...
, the Sea King has the ability to land on water. The sponsons were fitted with deployable airbags to enhance flotation.
The prototype flew on 11 March 1959. In late 1961 and early 1962, a modified early production US Navy HSS-2 Sea King was used to break the FAI 3 km, 100 km, 500 km and 1000 km helicopter speed records. This series of flights culminated on February 5, 1962 with the HSS-2 setting an absolute helicopter speed record of 210.6 mph. This record was broken by a modified Sud Super Frelon helicopter on July 23, 1963 with a speed of 217.7 mph.
Armament 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
Sea Eagle (missile)
The BAe Sea Eagle is a medium weight sea-skimming anti-ship missile designed and built by BAe Dynamics . It is designed to sink or disable ships up to the size of aircraft carriers in the face of jamming and other countermeasures including decoys...
or Exocet
Exocet
The Exocet is a French-built anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface vessels, submarines, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Hundreds were fired in combat during the 1980s.-Etymology:...
). It can also readily be configured to deploy the B57 tactical nuclear weapon
B57 nuclear bomb
The B57 nuclear bomb was a tactical nuclear weapon developed by the United States during the Cold War.Entering production in 1963 as the Mk 57, the bomb was designed to be dropped from high-speed tactical aircraft. It had a streamlined casing to withstand supersonic flight. It was 3 m long, with a...
. A large Chaff
Chaff (radar countermeasure)
Chaff, originally called Window by the British, and Düppel by the Second World War era German Luftwaffe , is a radar countermeasure in which aircraft or other targets spread a cloud of small, thin pieces of aluminium, metallized glass fibre or plastic, which either appears as a cluster of secondary...
Pod is sometimes carried for anti-ship missile defense of the Carrier Battle Group
Carrier battle group
A carrier battle group consists of an aircraft carrier and its escorts, together composing the group. The first naval task forces built around carriers appeared just prior to and during World War II. The Imperial Japanese Navy was the first to assemble a large number of carriers into a single...
. ASW equipment includes AQS-13B/E dipping sonar
Sonar
Sonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
with a 500 foot cable, 5000 watts of power and a Sonar Data Computer for processing sonar and sonobuoy data, 21 sonobuoy
Sonobuoy
A sonobuoy is a relatively small expendable sonar system that is dropped/ejected from aircraft or ships conducting anti-submarine warfare or underwater acoustic research....
s (various models), ARR-75 Sonobuoy Receivers, ASQ-81 Magnetic Anomaly Detector
Magnetic anomaly detector
A magnetic anomaly detector is an instrument used to detect minute variations in the Earth's magnetic field. The term refers specifically to magnetometers used by military forces to detect submarines ; the military MAD gear is a descendent of geomagnetic survey instruments used to search for...
(MAD Bird) and AKT-22 Data link
Data link
In telecommunication a data link is the means of connecting one location to another for the purpose of transmitting and receiving information. It can also refer to a set of electronics assemblies, consisting of a transmitter and a receiver and the interconnecting data telecommunication circuit...
to transmit sonar and sonobuoy data to the rest of the Fleet. In the search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
role the cabin can accommodate 22 survivors or nine stretchers and two medical officers. In the troop transport role 28 soldiers can be accommodated.
Operational history
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
, but also served in anti-ship, search and rescue, transport, communications, executive transport and Airborne Early Warning
Airborne Early Warning
An airborne early warning and control system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft at long ranges and control and command the battle space in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack plane strikes...
roles. Aircraft carriers always deployed the Sea King as the first aircraft in the air and the last to land serving in air operations as plane guard
Plane guard
A plane guard is a warship or helicopter tasked to recover the aircrew of planes or helicopters which ditch or crash in the water during aircraft carrier flight operations.-Ships:...
and SAR for the fixed winged aircraft. An SH-3A, operating from the USS New Orleans
USS New Orleans (LPH-11)
USS New Orleans was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship in the United States Navy. She was the third Navy ship to be so named, and is the first named for the Battle of New Orleans, which was the last major battle of The War of 1812....
amphibious assault ship
Amphibious assault ship
An amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault...
, was used in the February 1971 Apollo 14
Apollo 14
Apollo 14 was the eighth manned mission in the American Apollo program, and the third to land on the Moon. It was the last of the "H missions", targeted landings with two-day stays on the Moon with two lunar EVAs, or moonwalks....
recovery mission.
In the US Navy, it was replaced in the ASW and SAR 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 in US Navy service are used in the logistics support, range support, Search and Rescue, test, and VIP transport roles. The H-3 was finally retired on 27 January 2006 in a Final Flight ceremony in NAS Norfolk, Virginia, by Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2 (HC-2), the Fleet Angels. HH-3 variants based on the SH-3 airframe were built for the US Air Force.
Sea Kings are used as one of the official helicopters of the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and are operated by the United States Marine Corps
HMX-1
Marine Helicopter Squadron One , is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron responsible for the transportation of the President of the United States, Vice President, Cabinet members and other VIPs...
. Sea Kings use the call sign Marine One
Marine One
Marine One is the call sign of any United States Marine Corps aircraft carrying the President of the United States. It usually denotes a helicopter operated by the HMX-1 "Nighthawks" squadron, either the large VH-3D Sea King or the newer, smaller VH-60N "WhiteHawk", both due to be replaced by the...
when the president is aboard.
Variants
US military
XHSS-2 : The only prototype of the H-3 Sea King.YHSS-2 : Prototype and trials aircraft. Seven helicopters were built for the US Navy.
SH-3A : Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter for the US Navy (245 built); originally designated HSS-2.
HH-3A : Search and rescue helicopter for the US Navy (12 converted from SH-3A).
CH-3A : Military transport version for the US Air Force (three converted from SH-3A later became CH-3B).
NH-3A (S-61F): Experimental high speed compound helicopter, with extensive streamlining, no floats, short wings carrying two turbojet engines for extra speed.(1 Converted from SH-3A). Later modified with a tail rotor able to rotate 90° to serve as a pusher propeller.
RH-3A : Minesweeper helicopter for the US Navy (9 converted from SH-3A).
VH-3A : VIP transport helicopter for the US Army and Marine Corps (eight built, plus 2 SH-3A (STAKE) conversions which were rebuilt from damaged helicopters (one YHSS-2 and one SH-3A); originally designated VHSS-2. One (Army operated) was given to Egypt in 1972 and one (also Army operated) crashed at Walker Key, Bahamas in 1973; the rest were returned to the US Navy (HC-6) in 1975/6) and replaced by the VH-3D. At least 2 have subsequently been placed in museums.
CH-3B : Military transport helicopter for the US Air Force.
SH-3D (S-61B) (HSS-2A) : Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter for the US Navy (73 built and two conversions from SH-3As).
SH-3D (S-61B) : Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter for the Spanish Navy (six built).
SH-3D-TS : Anti-submarine warfare version.
VH-3D : VIP transport helicopter for the US Army (until 30 June 1976) and the US Marine Corps.
SH-3G : Cargo, utility transport helicopter for the US Navy (105 Conversions from SH-3A and SH-3D).
SH-3H (HSS-2B) : Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter for the US Navy (Conversions from older versions).
SH-3H AEW : Airborne early warning version for the Spanish navy.
UH-3H : cargo, utility transport version for the US Navy.
Sikorsky designations
S-61 : Company designation for the H-3 Sea King.S-61A : Export version for the Royal Danish Air Force
Royal Danish Air Force
The Royal Danish Air Force is the air force of Denmark with the capability to undertake homeland defense and homeland security roles as well international operations.-History:...
. Wider pontoons w/o flotation bags, a 530 liter centre tank instead of a dipping sonar and no automatic powered folding system.
S-61A-4 Nuri: Military transport, search and rescue helicopter for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It can seat up to 31 combat troops (38 built).
S-61A/AH : Utility helicopter for survey work and search and rescue in the Antarctic.
S-61B : Export version of the SH-3 anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.
S-61D-3 : Export version for the Brazilian Navy
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
.
S-61D-4 : Export version for the Argentine Navy
Argentine Navy
The Navy of the Argentine Republic or Armada of the Argentine Republic is the navy of Argentina. It is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, together with the Army and the Air Force....
.
S-61NR : Search and rescue version for the Argentine Air Force
Argentine Air Force
The Argentine Air Force is the national aviation branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic. , it had 14,606 military and 6,854 civilian staff.-History:...
.
S-61L/N:
- Civil versions of the Sea King.
S-61R:
- The S-61R served in the United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
as the CH-3C/E Sea King and the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, and with the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
and the Italian Air ForceItalian Air ForceThe Italian Air Force has gone under different names in different periods:*Regia Aeronautica , from 1923 to June 1946*Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, the air force of Italian Social Republic during World War II...
as the HH-3F Sea King (more commonly referred to by the nickname "Pelican").
S-61V : Company designation for the VH-3A, (1 built for Indonesia).
S-61V-1 : Export version of the VH-3A, one built for Indonesia.
United Aircraft of Canada
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter for the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
(41 assembled by United Aircraft of Canada).
CH-124A : The Sea King Improvement Program (SKIP) added modernized avionics as well as improved safety features.
CH-124B : Alternate version of the CH-124A without a dipping sonar but formerly with a MAD sensor and additional storage for deployable stores. In 2006, the 5 aircraft of this variant were converted to support the Standing Contingency Task Force (SCTF), and were modified with additional troop seats, and frequency agile radios. Plans to add fast-rope capability, EAPSNIPS (Engine Air Particle Separator / Snow & Ice Particle Separator) did not come to fruition.
CH-124B2 : 6 CH-124B's were upgraded to the CH-124B2 standard in 1991-1992. The revised CH-124B2 retained the sonobuoy processing gear to passively detect submarines but, the aircraft was now also fitted with a towed-array sonar to supplement the ship's sonar. Since anti-submarine warfare is no longer a major priority within the Canadian Forces, the CH-124B2 were refitted again to become improvised troop carriers for the newly formed Standing Contingency Task Force.
CH-124C : One CH-124 operated by the Helicopter Operational Test and Evaluation Facility located at CFB Shearwater
CFB Shearwater
Canadian Forces Base Shearwater , commonly referred to as CFB Shearwater, was a Canadian Forces Base located in Shearwater, Nova Scotia on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour in the Halifax Regional Municipality....
. Used for testing new gear, and when not testing new gear, it is deployable to any Canadian Forces ship requiring a helicopter.
CH-124U : Unofficial designation for 4 CH-124's that were modified for passenger/freight transport. One crashed in 1973, and the survivors were later refitted to become CH-124A's.
Westland
Westland Aircraft
Westland Aircraft was a British aircraft manufacturer located in Yeovil in Somerset. Formed as a separate company by separation from Petters Ltd just before the start of the Second World War, Westland had been building aircraft since 1915...
Ltd in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, who developed a specially modified version for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. It is powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Gnome
Rolls-Royce Gnome
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:*...
turbines (license-built T58s), and has British avionics and ASW equipment. This variant first flew in 1969, and entered service the next year. It is also used by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in a search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
capacity, and has been sold to many countries around the world.
Agusta
AS-61 : Company designation for the H-3 Sea King built under licence in Italy by Agusta.AS-61A-1 : Italian export model for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
AS-61A-4 : Military transport helicopter, search and rescue helicopter.
AS-61N-1 Silver: License built model of the S-61N, with a shortened cabin.
AS-61VIP : VIP transport helicopter.
ASH-3A (SH-3G) : Utility transport helicopter
ASH-3D : Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter. Flown by the Italian
Italian Navy
Italian Navy may refer to:* Pre-unitarian navies of the Italian states* Regia Marina, the Royal Navy of the Kingdom of Italy * Italian Navy , the navy of the Italian Republic...
, Brazilian, Iranian, Peruvian
Peruvian Navy
The Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral...
and Argentinian
Argentine Navy
The Navy of the Argentine Republic or Armada of the Argentine Republic is the navy of Argentina. It is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, together with the Army and the Air Force....
navies.
ASH-3TS : VIP, executive transport mission helicopter. Also known as the ASH-3D/TS.
ASH-3H : Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter
Mitsubishi
S-61A : Licence built-version of the S-61A as Search-and-Rescue and Utility helicopters for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (18 Built)HSS-2 : Licence built version of the S-61B as an Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (55 Built).
HSS-2A : Licence built version of the S-61B(SH-3D) as an Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (28 Built).
HSS-2B : Licence built version of the S-61B(SH-3H) as an Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (23 Built).
Operators
- Argentine Naval AviationArgentine Naval AviationThe Argentine Naval Aviation is the naval aviation branch of the Argentine Navy and one of its four operational commands...
- 5 S61D4, 9 H-3, 2 AS61D, 2 AS61H pictorial
- Brazilian NavyBrazilian NavyThe Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
- 6 S61D3, 8 H-3, 4 AS61D
- Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air ForceThe history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
(for the Royal Canadian NavyRoyal Canadian NavyThe history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
)
- Royal Danish Air ForceRoyal Danish Air ForceThe Royal Danish Air Force is the air force of Denmark with the capability to undertake homeland defense and homeland security roles as well international operations.-History:...
- Egyptian Air ForceEgyptian Air ForceThe Egyptian Air Force, or EAF , is the aviation branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces. The EAF is headed by an Air Marshal . Currently, the commander of the Egyptian Air Force is Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed...
- Indian NavyIndian NavyThe Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
- US-built SH-3 Sea Kings.
- Imperial Iranian Air Force
- Islamic Republic of Iran Air ForceIslamic Republic of Iran Air ForceThe Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force ' is the aviation branch of the Iranian armed forces. The present Air Force came into being in the early 1980s when the former Imperial Iranian Air Force was renamed....
- Imperial Iranian Navy
- Islamic Republic of Iran NavyIslamic Republic of Iran NavyThe Iranian Navy has traditionally been the smallest branch of Iran's armed forces and is designed mainly for securing its own ports and coast.- Overview :...
- Iraqi Air ForceIraqi Air ForceThe Iraqi Air Force or IQAF is the military branch in Iraq responsible for the policing of international borders, surveillance of national assets and aerial operations...
- Coast GuardIrish Coast GuardThe Irish Coast Guard is part of the Department of Transport. The Irish Search and Rescue Region, which includes most of the Republic of Ireland and parts of Northern Ireland is the area over which the coast guard has authority. This area is bounded by the UK Search and Rescue Region...
- Italian Air ForceItalian Air ForceThe Italian Air Force has gone under different names in different periods:*Regia Aeronautica , from 1923 to June 1946*Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, the air force of Italian Social Republic during World War II...
- Italian NavyItalian NavyItalian Navy may refer to:* Pre-unitarian navies of the Italian states* Regia Marina, the Royal Navy of the Kingdom of Italy * Italian Navy , the navy of the Italian Republic...
- Japan Maritime Self Defense Force - Mitsubishi built Sea kings.
- Peruvian NavyPeruvian NavyThe Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral...
- Royal Saudi Air ForceRoyal Saudi Air ForceThe Royal Saudi Air Force , is the aviation branch of the Saudi Arabian armed forces. The RSAF has developed from a largely defensive military force into one with an advanced offensive capability...
- Spanish NavySpanish NavyThe Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path...
- Army of VenezuelaArmy of VenezuelaThe National Army of Venezuela is one of the four professional branches of the Armed Forces of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. It has the responsibility for land-based operations against external, or internal threats that may put the sovereignty of the nation at risk.It is the largest...
- Los Angeles County, CaliforniaLos Angeles County, CaliforniaLos Angeles County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 9,818,605, making it the most populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County alone is more populous than 42 individual U.S. states...
Sheriff's Department (former United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
examples) - United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
- United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
- United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
- United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Aircraft on Display
- SH-3G, BuNo 149932, display aboard , Patriot's PointPatriot's PointPatriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, at the mouth of the Cooper River on the Charleston Harbor, across from Charleston.-Museum ships and exhibits:...
Naval and Maritime Museum, Charleston, South CarolinaCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the... - SH-3H, BuNo 149695, permanent static display, NAS Jacksonville, Florida
- SH-3H, BuNo 148042, permanent static display, NS Norfolk/Chambers Field (formerly NAS Norfolk), Virginia adjacent to Gate #4
- SH-3H, BuNo 149738, Quonset Air MuseumQuonset Air MuseumFounded in September 1992, the Quonset Air Museum was dedicated as an educational facility whose current mission is to preserve and interpret Rhode Island's aviation Heritage....
, Quonset State AirportQuonset State AirportQuonset State Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located on Quonset Point, in northeastern North Kingstown, Rhode Island, adjacent to Narragansett Bay...
(former NAS Quonset Point), North Kingston, Rhode Island - UH-3H, BuNo 149711, display aboard Museum, San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
- VH-3A, BuNo 150613, National Museum of Naval AviationNational Museum of Naval AviationThe National Museum of Naval Aviation is a military and aerospace museum located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. The museum opened in 1962....
, NAS Pensacola, Florida - VH-3A, BuNo 150611, Ronald Reagan Presidential LibraryRonald Reagan Presidential LibraryThe Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Center for Public Affairs is the presidential library and final resting place of Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. Designed by Hugh Stubbins and Associates, the library is located in Simi Valley, California, about northwest of...
, Simi Valley, CaliforniaSimi Valley, California-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Simi Valley had a population of 124,237. The population density was 2,940.8 people per square mile... - VH-3A, BuNo 150617, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CaliforniaYorba Linda, CaliforniaYorba Linda is a suburban city in northeastern Orange County, California, approximately northeast of Downtown Santa Ana, and southeast of Downtown Los Angeles....