Warszawa 2007-03-08
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King.
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is an American multi-role helicopter developed and manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. It made its first flight on March 11, 1959. About 1,300 were built. The helicopter was powered by two General Electric T58-GE-10 turbine engines with a power of 2 x 1,238 kW.
The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopter was introduced into US NAVY service in 1961 as the HSS-2. At that time, there was a unification of nomenclature in the USAF and US NAVY. Therefore, the helicopter was designated H-3. Prefixes are added to this name, which indicate the purpose of a particular version.
Since the helicopter was to be based on the decks of ships, the length of its fuselage was adapted to the prevailing standards by means of a folding tail. In addition, the main rotor blades are foldable. The helicopter turned out to be successful and many other versions were created on its basis: SAR and SARC sea rescue helicopter, transport and communication machine, electronic reconnaissance helicopter and others. 47 versions and variations were created. In the 1990s, the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopter was replaced by Sikorsky SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters in some tasks. In 2006, the US NAVY retired Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters from service.
On the basis of a license, the helicopters were manufactured in the UK by Westland Helicopters under the designation Westland Sea King. British Sea Kings have Rolls-Royce Bristol Gnome engines, and British avionics and anti-submarine warfare equipment. The helicopters went to the RAF and to companies that operate drilling platforms in the North Sea. The second license manufacturer of Sea King helicopters is Japan.
Sea King helicopter users are: Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Egypt, Spain, India, Iran, Japan, Canada, Qatar, Malaysia, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Thailand, Venezuela, Italy, UK, USA . Helicopters have been and are operated in 22 countries. About 1,300 were built.
Data T-T Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King:
Rotor diameter 19.00 m. Helicopter fuselage length 16.70 m. Height 5.13 m. Curb weight 5,382 kg. Take-off weight 10,000 kg. Top speed 267 km/h. Service ceiling 4,481 m. Range 1,000 km. Some versions of the helicopter are armed for anti-ship combat.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman