136-612: 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 (derived from the US General Electric T58 ), British-made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised flight control system. The Sea King
272-561: A bird strike , although investigations of the cause of the accident proved to be inconclusive. The SAS lost 18 men in the crash, their highest number of casualties on one day since the Second World War . The Royal Signals lost one man and the RAF one man. During the 1991 Gulf War Sea Kings from several nations, including Canada, Britain, and the U.S., were present in the coalition forces against Saddam Hussein 's Iraq regime. Due to
408-548: A SAR flight in the islands, initially from Navy Point on the north side of Stanley harbour, and later from RAF Mount Pleasant. In 1992, six further helicopters were ordered to replace the last remaining Westland Wessex helicopters in the SAR role, entering service in 1996. However, teething problems resulted in the actual operational use of the HAR3A's being delayed until mid 1997. The six Sea King HAR3As featured updated systems, including
544-436: A Sea King to conduct a water landing and, being completely watertight, would enable the rotorcraft to remaining floating for prolonged periods on the ocean's surface. Deployable airbags in the aircraft's sponsons added to the rotorcraft's stability and buoyancy, resisting pitching and rolling. The hull design was compatible with landing on challenging terrain, including ice, snow, swamp land, and tundra. Wheels are installed in
680-573: A UN-declared safe zone, a flight of French Aérospatiale Pumas and Sea King HC4 helicopters were shelled while taking off from an improvised landing zone. Two further Sea Kings arrived to evacuate several UN casualties, managing to fly the wounded to the Bosnian city of Tuzla , where they came under further enemy fire while unloading. During NATO's intervention in Kosovo , Sea Kings of 814 Naval Air Squadron , operating from numerous Royal Navy vessels in
816-586: A Walrus was on 11 July 1942, when Walrus W2709 of 700 (Levant) NAS sank the Italian submarine Ondina near Cypris in conjunction with the South African navy surface vessels HMSAS Protea and HMSAS Southern Maid , east of Cyprus . There were at least 5 confirmed enemy submarines sunk or damaged by Walruses during the Second World War , including the Vichy French submarine Poncelet which
952-602: A contract to purchase several Mk42B Sea Kings, an upgraded variant to perform dual-purpose: anti-shipping and anti-submarine missions, following a competition for the order against the Aérospatiale Super Puma . These helicopters would operate from the Godavari -class frigates as well as replace the existing Sea Kings. A team of Indian engineers was sent to Britain to help develop the Mk42B's avionics, especially
1088-634: A different crew arrangement, with operations being controlled by an observer rather than the pilot, as well as fitting a search radar. The Royal Navy selected the Sea King to meet a requirement for an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter to replace the Westland Wessex , placing an order with Westland for 60 SH-3D Sea Kings in June 1966. The prototype and three pre-production aircraft were built by Sikorsky at Stratford, Connecticut and shipped to
1224-619: A digital navigation system and more modern avionics. Westland also manufactured SAR versions of the Sea King for the Royal Norwegian Air Force, the German Navy and the Belgian Air Force . On SAR variants, the cabin was enlarged by a stretch of the fuselage behind the door; another key feature, used for additional flotation in the unusual event of a water landing, inflatable buoyancy bags were housed inside
1360-581: A logistical capacity at sea, transferring personnel, mail, and other lighter cargoes between vessels. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) became a major operator of the Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King following its introduction to service in 1963. It remained Canada's dominant maritime helicopter for over 50 years, finally being withdrawn in 2018. One notable innovation in Canadian operations, which was subsequently adopted by several other nations,
1496-551: A modified U.S. Navy HSS-2 Sea King was used to break the FAI 3 km, 100 km, 500 km, and 1000 km helicopter speed records. The Sea King also performed various other roles and missions such as search-and-rescue, transport, anti-shipping, medevac , plane guard , and airborne early warning operations. The Sea King has also proved to be popular on the export market with foreign military customers, and has also been sold to civil operators as well. As of 2024, many examples of
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#17327866286441632-669: A parent unit for the various ship-based flights operating the ScanEagle. However, the Royal Navy ceased operating the ScanEagle by November 2017. In November 2019, 700X NAS tested two new Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), namely, the AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma , a small, battery powered, hand-launched intelligence and surveillance UAV, and the AeroVironment Wasp III miniature UAV . By 2020
1768-433: A podded capability onboard Merlins. Previous proposed replacement programmes - Future Organic Airborne Early Warning (FOAEW) and MASC (Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control) - were initiated and then cancelled, due largely to the erroneous assumption that the entire ASaC Mk7 system could simply be lifted and plugged into another aircraft type. However, as a result of the time gap between the planned out of service date of
1904-633: A seizure of nearly half a ton of cocaine worth around £29 million. 700M Naval Air Squadron disbanded on 31 March 2008, transferring its aircraft and personnel to 824 Naval Air Squadron and also forming a new flight, 824 OEU. The squadron reformed again as 700W Naval Air Squadron in May 2009 at RNAS Yeovilton as the Lynx Wildcat Fielding Squadron. From January 2013, 700W received five AgustaWestland Wildcat helicopters for operational evaluation and conversion training. The squadron
2040-489: A standard utility transport for ground forces, a single one was also equipped specially to perform VIP transport duties. A few Qatari Sea Kings serve in an anti-shipping capacity and have been outfitted to carry, and deploy if required, two Exocet anti-ship missiles. SH-3 Sea King The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King (company designation S-61 ) is an American twin-engined anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter designed and built by Sikorsky Aircraft . A landmark design, it
2176-627: A station for one helicopter from 2009. The helicopters are to be replaced by AgustaWestland AW101 under the Norwegian All-Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) programme gradually from September 2020. The candidates for the NAWSARH contract of 10–12 helicopters was the AgustaWestland AW101, NHIndustries NH90, Eurocopter EC225 and Sikorsky S-92 . July 2013, AgustaWestland AW101 and Eurocopter (EC225)
2312-484: A ten-week training course for new catapult Flights. The final two weeks of the course were spent attached to ‘A’ Flight at for final training, before joining their allocated ship. The training was broken down into an initial three weeks of aerodrome flying, at RNAS Donibristle (HMS Merlin ) , in Fife , consisting circuits and landings , dive-bombing , photography and anti-submarine warfare . A second three-week block
2448-813: A total of 330 Sea Kings; export customers include the Indian Naval Air Arm , the German Navy , the Royal Australian Navy , and the Royal Norwegian Air Force . The last of the Royal Navy's Sea Kings in the ASW role was retired in 2003, being replaced by the AgustaWestland Merlin HM1 . The Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) variant is expected to be replaced around the introduction of
2584-688: Is a prolific operator of the Sea King, using many different variants for a wide variety of purposes. In addition to operating ASW Sea Kings for coastal patrols, Egypt procured a land-based transport adapted from the basic Sea King, marketed by Westland as the Commando, including a VIP subvariant. An electronic warfare version was also deployed by the Egyptian Air Force, featuring sophisticated onboard jamming systems. As of 2011, 23 Sea Kings/Commandos remain in service with Egypt. The Qatar Emiri Air Force also operates Westland's Commando variant, as
2720-496: Is launched from a pneumatic platform. It can be operated from the ground where onboard cameras and sensors are examined. The Royal Navy took delivery of the Banshee 80+ with the intention of using it to test all different types of sensors and the test flights were scheduled to take place during the summer at Predannack Airfield , Mullion, which the squadron uses as a centre of expertise for flights and training. In August 2024,
2856-548: Is the first operational American helicopter to be able to simultaneously hunt and destroy submarines. Its twin- turboshaft powerplant layout gave the SH-3 a higher payload and greater reliability than previous anti-submarine helicopters. In the event of a single engine failing, the Sea King could continue flying on a single engine. The powerplant used on the Sea King was the General Electric T58-GE-8B , which
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#17327866286442992-761: Is usually called the Westland Sea King. Canadian Sea Kings were called CH-124 and license made by United Aircraft of Canada. They were made in Italy by Agusta and called AS-61 and ASH-3. In Japan the Mitsubishi version was called the HSS-2. The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is a twin-engine medium-sized amphibious rotorcraft. Many of the features on board the Sea King represented a considerable advancement over preceding helicopters. In addition to being fully amphibious and capable of operating under all weather conditions, it
3128-689: The AQS-13 A/B/E dipping sonar which included specialized computers for processing sonar and sonobuoy data, various models of sonobuoys , ARR-75 Sonobuoy Receivers, and the ASQ-81 magnetic anomaly detector . The commonly fitted AKT-22 data link enabled the rapid dissemination of sonar information to other friendly elements. Some later Sea King models featured the TACNAV digital navigation system (first generation GPS) and overhauled cockpit instrumentation for night vision compatibility. During June 1961,
3264-488: The Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment ; subsequent production Sea Kings were delivered to the Royal Navy's 700 Naval Air Squadron from August 1969 onwards. By 1979, the Royal Navy had ordered 56 HAS1s and 21 HAS2s to meet the anti-submarine requirements, these were also configured for the secondary anti-ship role. The Westland Sea King was updated and adapted for numerous roles, subsequent variants include
3400-490: The Afghanistan War , it was used as a Royal Navy Search and Rescue (red and grey livery) and RAF Search and Rescue Force (yellow livery) helicopter. The Sea King was also adapted to meet the Royal Navy's requirement for a ship-based airborne early warning platform. On 26 September 2018, the last remaining Sea King variant in Royal Navy service was retired. Many operators have replaced, or are planning to replace,
3536-663: The Australian War Memorial before landing at Nowra . On 16 December 2011, the Chief of Navy presided over the ceremonial decommissioning of 817 Squadron RAN at NAS Nowra. Five of the withdrawn helicopters have been made available for sale. The replacement for the Sea King was intended to be the MRH 90 . However, in the 2010s issues with that design lead to only six being acquired and the SH-60 Seahawk ended up being
3672-582: The Battle of the Denmark Strait , Supermarine Walrus L2184 of 700 Naval Air Squadron from HMS Norfolk was damaged by shellfire from Prinz Eugen in the Denmark Strait on 23 May 1941 while still on its catapult. In June 1942, 700 Naval Air Squadron moved its HQ , known as ‘A’ Flight, the short distance across Orkney to RNAS Twatt (HMS Tern ) . By this time the squadron provided
3808-653: The Fairey Gannet aeroplane was withdrawn after the last of the RN's fleet carriers was decommissioned in 1978. During the Falklands War, a number of warships were lost and casualties suffered due to the lack of an AEW platform. The proposed fleet cover by the RAF Shackleton AEW.2 was too unresponsive and at too great a distance to be practical. Consequently, two Sea King HAS2s were modified in 1982 with
3944-573: The HAS2 , HAS5 and HAS6 . Changes from initial production aircraft included an expansion of the cabin and upgraded engines. One of the most extensively modified variants was the Westland Commando , operated by the Royal Navy as the HC4. The Commando had capacity for up to 28 fully equipped troops and had originally been developed to meet an Egyptian Air Force requirement. Due to the deletion of
4080-476: The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 . Due to training shortfalls on the new helicopters, Sea King operations were considerably restricted during the 1971 war; by November 1971, increased aircrew experience had enabled offensive anti-submarine operations to be conducted. The Majestic -class aircraft carrier INS Vikrant was also refitted in 1972–1974 to enable extensive Sea King operations, becoming
4216-525: The Persian Gulf , resulting in the death of seven personnel. A report into the collision called for Sea Kings to be outfitted with night vision goggles, as well as better onboard safety equipment, and recommended changes to procedure regarding the use of radar at night. However, it later transpired that the Board of Inquiry had not been told that the three main contributory factors it reported coincided with
Westland Sea King - Misplaced Pages Continue
4352-647: The Saunders Roe P.531 to investigate what would be needed to introduce a whole new form of helicopter operation to the Fleet – which led to the Westland Wasp. In October 1960 flight tests of landing and take-offs from HMS Vengeance with 27 launchings of the turboprop Fairey Gannet and 34 with the Hawker Sea Hawk. A number of Intensive Flying Trials Units were subsequently formed under
4488-565: The UN and NATO intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina . 845 Naval Air Squadron and their Sea Kings had been dispatched to the region in late 1992 in response to escalating tensions in the region. They performed various logistical and transport missions, such as the repositioning of Royal Artillery L118 Light Guns in the region and in the evacuation of casualties. In one incident on 24 March 1993, during an attempt to establish an air evacuation route to
4624-871: The United States Marine Corps 's HMX-1 unit, are used as the official helicopters of the President of the United States ; in this capacity, the call sign ' Marine One ' is used by the helicopter currently occupied by the President. As of 2012, a replacement helicopter fleet for the Sea King was pending under the VXX program. In 1992, the US Justice Department sued Sikorsky over allegations of overcharged component pricing and deliberately misleading US Navy negotiators. In 1997,
4760-521: The Vietnam War , SH-3s rescued the crews of downed aircraft at sea and over land, typically being equipped with self-sealing fuel tanks , multiple machine guns and heavy armor when performing such missions. Due to the type's greater range and the safety of having two engines, it was often used during rescue sorties into North Vietnam to retrieve downed aircrew. The Sea King was also used for medical evacuations and disaster relief efforts. The SH-3
4896-716: The amphibious capability, not required in the Egyptian desert, the most noticeable change from the Sea King was the deletion of the side floats, the main undercarriage being carried on stub sponsons. An improved variant of the Egyptian Commando, with changes including the fitting of folding blades common to the ASW variants, was designated as the Sea King HC4 by the Royal Navy and all the aircraft were new build. First flying on 26 September 1979, due to its operational range of up to 600 nautical miles without refuelling,
5032-587: The helicopter rotor . Initial trials carried out with active Sea Kings found several advantages to the BERP rotor, including a longer fatigue life and improved aerodynamic characteristics. Subsequent Westland helicopters, such as the record-breaking Lynx and the AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin, took advantage of BERP rotors for greater performance. Westland equipped later-built Sea Kings with the new composite rotors as well. Westland has produced
5168-604: The torpedo bomber aircraft Grumman Avenger and Fairey Barracuda , the Blackburn Firebrand strike-fighter , and the navalised fighter aircraft: Fairey Firefly , Grumman Hellcat , Supermarine Seafire , and Grumman Wildcat . It provided a training course which required each pilot to complete a minimum of five weeks test flying on FAA aircraft in active service and during the initial eleven months eighty-four test pilots were trained. Remaining in Hampshire,
5304-501: The "700 NAS" title, to prepare for new aircraft types coming into service. These operated as independent units, each being identified by a suffix letter after the squadron number (e.g. "700B"). From 1957 the initial one was based out of RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus ) , Hampshire, to introduce the Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 anti-submarine and search and rescue helicopter. Several other of these IFTUs were formed for
5440-531: The 'X' is used to designate 'experimental', it is currently the Royal Navy's Remotely-piloted air systems (RPAS) or 'drone' expert unit. 700 Naval Air Squadron was originally formed on 21 January 1940 at RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk ) in Orkney in a plan to centralise the operations of the 700 series "Catapult" flights attached to catapult units and to act as a pool and Headquarters for all catapult aircraft embarked on Royal Navy battleships and cruisers . It
5576-755: The Adriatic, including the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible , maintained a patrol of the Balkans' coast. The Sea Kings were also heavily used in the transport role during the preparations for a ground invasion of Kosovo. In 2000, Sea King HC.4s of 846 NAS participated in Operation Palliser in Sierra Leone. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq , multiple Sea King ASaC7 from 849 NAS were operated from HMS Ark Royal . On 22 March 2003, two AEW Sea Kings from 849 NAS operating from Ark Royal collided over
Westland Sea King - Misplaced Pages Continue
5712-449: The BBC: "They are old...but they have gone through modernisation, and we need them very much. I believe this is just the start of our work together." The BBC also reports that a third Sea King is being prepared to be sent to Ukraine in the "coming weeks". The third Sea King HU.5 was delivered to Ukraine in May 2023. In January 2024, Germany agreed to send 6 further Sea Kings to Ukraine. Egypt
5848-555: The Dhruv's maintenance record. In May 1998, the United States enacted sanctions upon India as a part of the international response to a series of nuclear weapons tests by India . As of 1999, these sanctions effectively grounded India's Sea Kings because India could not purchase any US-supplied spare parts for the fleet. Westland also complied with the sanctions by refusing to maintain any US-made components. A limited number of Sea Kings were kept operational by cannibalising other aircraft and
5984-504: The HAS.1, but was not fitted with sonar. The 22 Sea Kings were delivered between April 1973 and September 1974, equipping Marinefliegergeschwader 5 (MFG 5) (Naval Air Wing 5). An additional Sea King was delivered in April 1975 to replace one destroyed in a gale. The surviving Sea Kings were upgraded between 1986 and 1988, adding the capability to carry Sea Skua anti-ship missiles, which required
6120-431: The HC4 'Commando' became an important asset for amphibious warfare and troop transport duties, in particular. Several Royal Naval Air Squadrons have operated the Commando variant, such as 845 Naval Air Squadron , 846 Naval Air Squadron and 848 Naval Air Squadron . In British service, the Sea King HC4 was deployed on operations in the Falklands, the Balkans, both Gulf Wars, Sierra Leone , Lebanon and Afghanistan. Towards
6256-404: The Indian Navy considered the AEW Sea King, expected to be designated as Mk42D, it was judged to be too expensive, consequently, in 2003, the Russian Kamov Ka-31 was procured instead. The indigenous HAL Dhruv was the intended replacement for the Sea King in the ASW role, however, in 2000, it was deemed unsuited, as the Indian Navy were dissatisfied with the design's folding blade mechanism and by
6392-407: The Iraqi capital, Baghdad . In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami , Australian Sea Kings played a major role in disaster relief efforts in Indonesia's Aceh province, delivering medical teams and supplies from Royal Australian Navy ships. Prior to retirement, the last major missions were flown during the 2010–11 Queensland floods , in which Sea Kings provided SAR coverage of
6528-504: The Justice Department issued further accusations against Sikorsky of willful overcharging on a contract to upgrade the Navy's Sea Kings. In 2024, the VH-3D was replaced by the VH-92 Patriot as the Marine One helicopter. During the 1990s, the Sea King was replaced in the ASW and SAR roles by the U.S. Navy with the newer Sikorsky SH-60 Sea Hawk . However, the SH-3 continued to operate in reserve units in roles including logistical support, search and rescue, and transport. On 27 January 2006,
6664-436: The NH-90. HeliOperations continue to operate three Mk 5 Sea Kings, based at RNAS Portland , training German Navy pilots as of 2017. The last German Navy Sea Kings were retired in March 2024, making their last operational flight that month. In November 2022, in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine the United Kingdom announced they were donating three former Royal Navy Sea Kings to Ukraine . In January 2023,
6800-507: The Royal Marines in 40 and 45 Commando . By the end of 2022 a team from 700X Naval Air Squadron had constructed their own remotely-piloted air system (RPAS). The octo- quadcopter weighed 20 kilograms (44 lb) and was named Walrus after the amphibious maritime patrol aircraft used by the squadron during the Second World War. The quadcopter was planned to be used by the Royal Navy as an independent test and evaluation platform. Initial ground tests and assessments of it took place inside
6936-447: The SAR role and served with 771 Naval Air Squadron , Culdrose and HMS Gannet SAR Flight at Prestwick Airport in Scotland. As of 2009, they are expected to remain in service until 2016, being replaced with civilian operated SAR rotorcraft. Both Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge have flown SAR Sea Kings in front-line roles. The Royal Navy's airborne early warning (AEW) capability had been lost when
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#17327866286447072-540: The SH-3 was ceremonially retired at NAS Norfolk , Virginia, by Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2 (HC-2). They have been replaced by increasingly advanced variants of the SH-60 Sea Hawk. In the early 21st century, following their drawdown in US service, there have been a number of initiatives to refurbish ex-military Sea Kings for continued operations; in addition to civil operators, nations such as Egypt and India acquired refurbished former US Sea Kings to supplement their own aging fleets. The Westland Sea King variant
7208-414: The Sea King AEW fleet being upgraded with a new mission system, Comms, NavAids, JTIDS , Active Noise Reduction and Videographic recording. The Mission System Upgrade (MSU) component (Radar and partial JTIDS integration) was based around the improved Searchwater 2000AEW radar, with an all-new Man-Machine Interface. This MSU component was later termed "Project Cerberus" by Thales, after successful integration
7344-417: The Sea King became operational with the US Navy as the HSS-2 ; at the time, it was not only the largest amphibious helicopter in the world, but was also the first all-weather rotorcraft to reach production status for the US Navy. When the unified aircraft designation system was introduced, the rotorcraft's designation was changed to SH-3A. It was used primarily for anti-submarine warfare : the largely involved
7480-430: The Sea King had proved sound and several aspects were judged to be potentially useful for other operators, thus Sikorsky elected to pursue the further development of the rotorcraft for other markets beyond the US Navy. One of the major variants of the Sea King to be produced was a model for civil operators, which was designated as the Sikorsky S-61L . The first operator of the S-61L was Los Angeles Airways , who introduced
7616-415: The Sea King in 2016, and the introduction of "Crowsnest", seven Sea King ASaC.7 helicopters remained in service with the RN through to the second half of 2018. The last Sea Kings were retired in September 2018, marking almost half a century of service, with the last three taking a ceremonial flight before retirement. A number of Sea Kings were deployed during the Falklands Conflict. They were transported to
7752-410: The Sea King with more modern helicopters, such as the NHIndustries NH90 and the AgustaWestland AW101 . Germany retired the type in March 2024; however, it is still in widespread service around the globe, including India and several Middle Eastern countries. Westland Helicopters, which had a long-standing licence agreement with Sikorsky Aircraft to allow it to build Sikorsky's helicopters, extended
7888-568: The Sea King would be progressively converted into the improved SH-3D and SH-3H variants; these featured more powerful engines and improved sensors that gave the type greater operational capabilities as an ASW platform. It was also common for Sea Kings to be converted for non-ASW activities, these roles included minesweeping, combat search and rescue, and as a cargo/passenger utility transport. The aircrew on ASW-tasked Sea Kings were routinely trained to carry out these secondary roles as aircraft could often be quickly adapted to perform different missions in
8024-467: The Sea King's cabin could accommodate up to 22 survivors. In a medical layout, a maximum of nine stretchers plus two medical officers could be carried. In the troop transport role, up to 28 soldiers can be accommodated. The Sea King features many design elements to support naval-orientated operations. The main rotor blades and the tail section can be folded via fully automated systems for storage on board ships. The adoption of an amphibious hull allowed
8160-437: The Shetland Flight, with aircraft and crews from RNAS Hatston and disembarked Flights from the Home Fleet . These carried out local anti-submarine patrols and shipping escort under the control of No. 18 Group RAF , within RAF Coastal Command . On 25 September 1940, Supermarine Walrus L2247 , embarked on the cruiser HMAS Australia , was shot down by Vichy French fighters during the Battle of Dakar and crashed into
8296-400: The USA, and under license in the U.K. by Westland, Italy by Augusta, Canada by United Aircraft of Canada, and in Japan by Mitsubushi. Total production was about 1100 to 1300. The S-61 family includes the S-61L and S-61N, which are commercial models. The S-61R, which is the CH-3C/E Sea King, HH-3E Jolly Green Giant and HH-3F Pelican. The S-61 license built by Westland had different engines and
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#17327866286448432-565: The United Kingdom to act as trials and pattern aircraft. The first of the SH-3Ds was initially fitted with General Electric T58s and, after being shipped from the United States, was flown in October 1966 from the dockside at Avonmouth to Yeovil airfield . The other three were delivered from the docks, by road to Yeovil, for completion with British systems and Rolls-Royce Gnome engines. The first Westland-built helicopter, designated Sea King HAS1 , flew on 7 May 1969 at Yeovil. The first two helicopters were used for trials and evaluation by Westland and
8568-406: The United States Navy's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) and NATO's Fleet Operational Readiness Accuracy Check Site (FORACS) and the following year the aircrew only deployed on Operation Telic to enlarge 814 Naval Air Squadron. In 2007 the OEU deployed to the Caribbean aboard HMS Ocean to take part in Counter Narcotics operations with the US Coastguard and was involved with
8704-406: The Westland Sea King. including the Indian Naval Air Arm , the German Navy , the Royal Australian Navy , and the Royal Norwegian Air Force . While Sikorsky opted to terminate its own Sea King production line during the 1970s, the type has had a lengthy service life. In September 2009, it was reported that nearly 600 Sea Kings were believed to still be operational. The Sea King was produced in
8840-402: The ability to support a weapons load of 380 kg (840 lb). In 1957, Sikorsky was awarded a contract to produce an all-weather amphibious helicopter for the US Navy. As per the earlier specification, this new rotorcraft was to excel at ASW; specifically, it would combine the roles of hunter and killer, as these two duties had previously been carried out by two separate helicopters. It
8976-445: The addition of a Ferranti Seaspray radar in a nose radome. The 21 remaining Sea Kings are tasked to a variety of roles including SAR, transport, disaster relief, tactical land–sea transport, evacuation, surveillance, reconnaissance and naval support. The main base is Nordholz , although units are always stationed at Heligoland Airfield and Warnemünde , and sometimes at Borkum Airfield . The helicopters are scheduled to be replaced by
9112-415: The addition of the Thorn-EMI ARI 5980/3 Searchwater LAST radar attached to the fuselage on a swivel arm and protected by an inflatable dome. This allowed the radar to be lowered below the fuselage during flight and for it to be raised for landing. These prototypes, designated HAS2(AEW) , were both flying within 11 weeks and deployed with 824 "D" Flight on HMS Illustrious , serving in the Falklands after
9248-541: The agreement to cover the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King soon after the Sea King's first flight in 1969. Westland proceeded to independently develop the Sea King, integrating a significant proportion of components from British suppliers; key changes include the use of a pair of Rolls-Royce Gnome turboshaft engines and the implementation of an automatic flight control system . On this matter, authors Jim Thorn and Gerald Frawley stated that: "Despite appearances, Westland's Sea King [is a] very different aircraft from Sikorsky's". Many of
9384-462: The aircraft's sponsons . Upgrades and changes made to SAR Sea Kings include the addition of radar warning receivers , a cargo hook for the underslung carriage of goods, and the redesigning of the cockpit for compatibility with night vision goggles . As of 2006, up to 12 HAR3/3As were dispersed across the UK, a further two HAR3s were attached to the Falkland Islands, providing 24-hour rescue coverage. Some Royal Navy HAS5 ASW variants were adapted for
9520-420: The carrier was retired from service, without replacement. As the Sea King was too large to operate from the Adelaide -class frigates , 817 Squadron was then forced to operate from land bases, in both ASW and utility roles, with the Sea King relinquishing the anti-submarine mission in 1990. During the 2003 Iraq War, Sea Kings were heavily used in logistical roles, such as the first delivery of humanitarian aid to
9656-417: The carrier's primary anti-submarine aircraft. During the early 1960s, India and Britain agreed upon the domestic production of the Leander -class frigate . The initial helicopter deployed aboard India's Leander s, known as the Nilgiri class , was the Aérospatiale Alouette III , however, this offered much less capability in the anti-submarine role compared with the Sea King and the need for design changes
9792-571: The cessation of hostilities. A further eight HAS2s were modified to a production standard, known as the AEW2 . Two remained "fitted for but not with". These entered operational service in 1985, being deployed by 849 Naval Air Squadron . Three Sea King HAS5/6s were later converted as part of the ASaC Mk7 programme, bringing the Mk7 fleet to 13; still 3 below the requirement. The upgrade programme resulted in
9928-482: The combat zone and operated from the decks of various ships of the Royal Navy, such as the landing platform dock HMS Fearless . In the theatre, they performed a wide range of missions, from anti-submarine patrols and reconnaissance flights to replenishment operations and the insertion of special forces . Support provided by the Sea Kings in the form of transport for men and supplies has been viewed as vital to
10064-633: The command of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Southern Norway and Northern Norway . Introduced in May 1973, they were originally stationed at Bodø Main Air Station , Ørland Main Air Station , Sola Air Station and Station Group Banak . In 1997, the squadron conducted 237 SAR and 747 air ambulance missions. From 1995 to 1998, one helicopter was stationed at Ålesund Airport, Vigra , and since 1999, one has been stationed at Rygge Air Station . Florø Airport became
10200-516: The controlled environment of a hangar , and when completed Walrus was passed operational and ready to be used for different sensor and payload tests. In 2023 a new flight was formed by 700X Naval Air Squadron to learn how to maintain and safely operate the QinetiQ Banshee Jet 80+ . The Banshee Jet 80+ drones can achieve above 400 miles per hour (640 km/h) and are of capable more than 60 miles (97 km) range. The 3m x 2.5m drone
10336-475: The detection and tracking of Soviet submarines. In the event of open warfare breaking out between the two powers, Sea Kings would have been used to attack these submarines with the intent to sink them. The Sea King was able to operate from the flight decks of many of the US Navy's vessels as well as shore bases. It could also operate from offshore platforms to extend their surveillance and strike ranges. The type
10472-416: The development of an entirely new rotorcraft. A total of ten prototypes were produced to support the development program. On 11 March 1959, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight . During early 1961, a pair of prototypes were stationed on board the aircraft carrier Lake Champlain to fulfill a demand for carrier suitability trials. These trials, which involved testing the folding mechanism of
10608-436: The development of the Sea King. During the late 1950s, the US Navy took advantage of recent aerospace advances, such as the turboshaft engine, by commissioning the development of a new large naval helicopter. Sikorsky received a request from the service to design a new turbine-powered helicopter that would be capable of performing the ASW mission. The specification included a dipping sonar , mission endurance of four hours, and
10744-491: The differences between the Westland-built Sea King and the original helicopter were as a result of differing operational doctrine. While the U.S. Navy Sea Kings were intended to be under tactical control of the carrier from which they operated, the Royal Navy intended its helicopters to be much more autonomous, capable of operating alone, or co-ordinating with other aircraft or surface vessels. This resulted in
10880-435: The emerging ASW helicopter included its amphibious hull , which enabled the rotorcraft to readily perform water landings, and its adoption of a twin-turboshaft engine arrangement that enabled it to be larger, heavier and better-equipped than had been possible with prior helicopters. The designation HSS-2 was applied, allegedly to imply a level of commonality to the earlier HSS-1 , should political sentiment turn against
11016-706: The end of the Sea King's operational life, several HAS6s were repurposed by the removal of the ASW equipment, as troop transports. In 2010, the last of the UK's converted ASW Sea Kings to troop transports were retired. In the 1970s, Westland's experience with the Sea King led the company to conduct the British Experimental Rotor Program (BERP), in coordination with the Royal Aircraft Establishment , which applied innovations in composite materials and new design principles to
11152-698: The evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon . In October 2011, following several years of service in Afghanistan as troop transports for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces stationed there, the Sea King HC.4s returned to the UK; their replacement is the AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin. Between April 2009 and July 2011, the Royal Navy's Sea Kings stationed at Camp Bastion conducted over 1000 operational missions. The last Sea King flight in service
11288-460: The face of operational needs. The NH-3A (S-61F) was an experimental high-speed compound helicopter based on the Sea King tested in the 1960s. Later modified with a tail rotor able to rotate 90° to serve as a pusher propeller; this helicopter demonstrated "Roto-Prop" pusher propeller for Sikorsky's S-66 design . In addition to those Sea Kings that were manufactured by Sikorsky, several license agreements were enacted with other firms to produce
11424-572: The first Sea King was videoed being used by the Ukrainian Naval Aviation . In April 2023, the BBC did an interview with one of the co-pilots of a UK donated Sea King to Ukraine. These helicopters served in the Falklands War so they are at least some 40 years old. The co-pilot has said that the Sea King is used for rescuing pilots who have ejected, delivering soldiers, and conducting reconnaissance, among other tasks. One engineer also told
11560-416: The flagship HMS Hermes . On 12 May, a Sea King operating from Hermes crashed into the sea due to an altimeter problem; all crew were rescued. On 19 May 1982 a Sea King, in the process of transporting SAS troops to HMS Intrepid from Hermes , crashed into the sea while attempting to land on Intrepid . Twenty-two men were killed and nine survived. Bird feathers were found in the debris, suggesting
11696-615: The flight were the Flight Commander who integrated the Puma with the ship, the mission operator who flew the Puma and the vehicle operator who controlled the camera. As of 2021, twelve Puma systems were deployed with the squadron permitting individual teams to be embarked on Royal Navy vessels as might be required. In 2024, the Navy reported that there were a total of nine qualified Puma teams, six of which were dedicated to supporting
11832-430: The ground advance. There was thorough radar coverage by U.S. airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft; British AEW Sea Kings were not deployed. Following the end of hostilities, the available Sea Kings remained on deployment in the region to conduct transport missions to relocate people displaced by the conflict to refugee camps and repatriate citizens to their home countries. The Sea King participated in
11968-799: The introduction into the Fleet Air Arm of the anti-submarine warfare and utility helicopter, the Westland Wessex , the Blackburn Buccaneer attack aircraft , the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II , an interceptor and fighter-bomber , the Westland Sea King anti-submarine, medium-lift transport and utility helicopter, the Westland Lynx multi-purpose helicopter and British Aerospace Sea Harrier , amongst other aircraft. More recently,
12104-518: The main rotor blades and a series of takeoffs performed during winds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h), were completed successfully in mid-1961. Shortly after the completion of suitability trials, the US Navy formally accepted delivery of the first HSS-2 rotorcraft, which was subsequently re-designated as the SH-3A, in September 1961. In late 1961 and early 1962, a modified US Navy HSS-2 Sea King
12240-417: The main successor. Following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 , Pakistan invested heavily in modern submarines and long-range torpedoes. In response, India opted to procure six Westland Sea Kings from Britain in 1969, for ASW duties, designated as Mk42 . The purchase also included the provision of air-droppable homing torpedoes for use against submarines. The delivery of the aircraft began a few months before
12376-580: The manufacture of some components by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). In December 2000, President Bill Clinton permitted a relaxation of the sanctions. In the late 2000s, HAL and AgustaWestland signed an agreement to jointly maintain and perform upgrades to India's fleet of Sea Kings. The Norwegian Ministry of Justice owns 12 Mk43B Sea Kings which are operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Forces's 330 Squadron . The aircraft are used for SAR and air ambulance missions and are under
12512-532: The new radar enables the ASaC7 to simultaneously track up to 400 targets, instead of an earlier limit of 250 targets. The effectiveness of the AEW7 was greatly increased via the addition of a Link 16 data link, allowing gathered radar information to be analysed and rapidly put to use by multiple allied platforms in range. The ASaC7s remained in service until they were replaced under the "Crowsnest" programme; intended as
12648-577: The onboard software. Changes from the older Sea Kings included a brand new avionics suite, the use of composite materials throughout the fuselage and in the rotor blades, as well as the integration of the Sea Eagle missile , which had been procured from Britain in 1983. Between 1988 and 1992, a total of 20 Mk42B Sea Kings were delivered to the Indian Navy. Six Sea Kings in troop-carrying capacity, designated Mk42C , were also procured in 1987. Although
12784-665: The primary causes were the loss of oil from the main gearbox. The Australian Sea Kings had similar avionics to that of the Sea King HAS.1, with the same ARI 5995 search radar in a dorsal radome, but had American Bendix AN/AQS-13A dipping sonar instead of the Plessey sonar of the Royal Navy Sea Kings. They also had more powerful engines giving improved high temperature hover performance. Australia's Sea Kings were flown by 817 Squadron RAN from HMAS Melbourne until
12920-571: The region and delivered aid relief to citizens in the flooded areas. The replacement of the Fleet Air Arm's Sea King fleet commenced faster than initially planned following the loss of a Sea King during a humanitarian aid mission in Indonesia in April 2005, resulting in nine deaths. Investigators uncovered serious faults in the condition of the Sea King's mechanical flight control system, resulting from maintenance deficiencies. In May 2007,
13056-475: The sea killing all three crew. In November the squadron took over the 701 Naval Air Squadron aircraft which were operating from Stornoway harbour and this became known as 700 Stornoway Flight. In March 1941 this Flight moved to RAF Sullom Voe and joined the Shetland Flight, but this then disbanded in May when RAF aircraft became available. Trailing Kriegsmarine capital ships in the lead up to
13192-648: The ship's Limbo anti-submarine mortar . Beyond the original 1971 procurement, India chose to acquire a further six Mk42s in 1974, and three more in 1980; these three had been specifically modified to operate from the flight deck of the last two Nilgiri s and designated as Mk42A . As a follow-on to the Nilgiri s, India commenced development of a new frigate, based on the Leander / Nilgiri , but larger. The resultant Godavari class , also known as Project 16, could operate two Sea Kings simultaneously. In 1982, India signed
13328-708: The six remaining Sea Kings were grounded for two months following the discovery of a number of missing parts. On 1 September 2011, the Australian Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare , announced that the Sea Kings would be withdrawn from service in December 2011; having flown in excess of 60,000 hours in operations in Australia and overseas in that time. The farewell flight was conducted on 15 December 2011, three Sea Kings flew over Sydney Harbour and across to Canberra , passing Lake Burley Griffin and
13464-474: The sponsons for land operations. The armament fitted upon a Sea King could vary considerably. For anti-submarine missions, the aircraft could carry up to four torpedoes or four depth charges. For anti-ship duties, some models were outfitted to carry one or two missiles, typically Sea Eagles or Exocets . The Sea King could also be fitted to deploy the B57 nuclear bomb . ASW equipment used on Sea Kings has included
13600-494: The squadron began trials on HMS Lancaster with the Peregrine rotary-wing UAV . The rotary-wing UAV was designed to operate alongside its regular helicopter detachment and provide enhanced surveillance capabilities to the frigate. The battle honours awarded to 700 Naval Air Squadron are: 700 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy , Royal Air Force stations and other airbases in
13736-499: The squadron had three flights, operating with the AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma system, for deployment. These were designated Phantom Flights A, B and C, with each flight made up of a commander, an air engineering technician and a naval airman. The initial operational test was during the name ship of her class HMS Albion 's Mediterranean deployment. To operate the Puma system, the three personnel who made up
13872-479: The squadron moved to RNAS Middle Wallop (HMS Flycatcher ) , on 23 November 1945. It moved again the following April when it 1946 the squadron relocated to RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron ) , Somerset and where in May 1948 it became part of the 50th Training Air Group . 700 Maintenance Test Pilots training Squadron disbanded in September 1949. 700 Naval Air Squadron reformed as a Trials and Requirements Unit on 18 August 1955 at RNAS Ford (HMS Peregrine ) , Sussex. It
14008-683: The squadron moved to RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron ). In January 1956, when 787 Naval Air Squadron disbanded, 700 NAS took over its duties, however, in February 1957 the Fleet Requirements work was given to Airwork Services Ltd at Hurn . The squadron moved to RNAS Yeovilton in September 1958 where it later disbanded in July 1961. The Squadron carried on trials of de Havilland Sea Vixens on HMS Victorious and HMS Centaur during 1958 and from October 1959 formed at Yeovilton with
14144-673: The squadron was re-commissioned at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk ) in Cornwall during December 1998 as 700M Naval Air Squadron, with a primary role as an Intensive Flying Trials Unit (IFTU) of testing and evaluating the AgustaWestland Merlin HM.1 helicopter. In September 2001 the unit became the Operational Evaluation Unit (OEU) for the Fleet Air Arm's Merlin helicopter. In 2002 the OEU deployed to both
14280-585: The success of the British operation. Sea Kings also protected the fleet by acting as decoys against incoming Exocet missiles , with some missions being flown by Prince Andrew, Duke of York . Anti-Submarine Sea Kings of 820 Naval Air Squadron were embarked in HMS ; Invincible . With 11 HAS.5s, the squadron operated anti-submarine and search and rescue sorties with one helicopter always airborne on surface search duties. On 14 June, an 820 NAS Sea King HAS.5
14416-482: The threat of potential use of any Iraqi weapons of mass destruction , it was standard practice for Sea King crews to wear fully enclosed NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protective suits . Britain's Sea Kings primarily engaged in inter-ship transport duties, including ferrying troops between the fleet and land. Six Sea King Mk4 helicopters from 845 Naval Air Squadron and six of 848 Squadron , which had been reformed to meet this operational demand, worked in support of
14552-647: The three main areas of degradation between the Mk2 and Mk7. (NVG, Anti-Collision lighting and Interoperability with ships). These had been identified and two contracts let to mitigate the risks had been cancelled by an administrative official. Moreover, in 1994 the RN had rejected the recommendation of the programme manager to retain NVG. In July 2006, Sea King HC.4 helicopters based at RNAS Yeovilton were temporarily deployed to Cyprus to assist in Operation Highbrow,
14688-774: The two Queen Elizabeth -class aircraft carriers. The UK has also planned to retire the HC4 and search and rescue variants in March 2016. A dedicated search and rescue (SAR) version, the HAR3 , was developed for the RAF Search and Rescue Force . The type entered service in 1978 to replace the Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 . A 16th helicopter was ordered shortly after, and following the Falklands War of 1982, three more instances were purchased to enable operation of
14824-624: The type remain in service in nations around the world, although some major users have begun to retire the type. The Sea King has been built under license by Agusta in Italy, Mitsubishi in Japan, Canada by United Aircraft of Canada , and by Westland in the United Kingdom as the Westland Sea King . The major civil versions are the S-61L and S-61N . The S-61R was another important variant, which
14960-464: The type to service on 11 March 1962. Another noteworthy Sea King variant, the significant change this time being the adoption of a conventional fuselage, the Sikorsky S-61R , was also concurrently developed for transport and search and rescue (SAR) duties, this type being extensively operated by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard . In US Navy service, the initial SH-3A model of
15096-672: The type. These included the Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi and the Italian aerospace company Agusta . Another licensee was the British helicopter manufacturer Westland Helicopters , which substantially redesigned the Sea King to produce various models of their own, collectively referred to as the Westland Sea King . In contrast to the US Navy's Sea Kings, the Westland Sea King was intended for greater operational autonomy. In total, Westland produced 330 Sea Kings; outside of its British-based operators, various export customers were found for
15232-578: The world. Argentina Denmark United States Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1979-80 General characteristics Performance Armament Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists 700 Naval Air Squadron 700 Naval Air Squadron (700 NAS) is a Maritime Unmanned Air System squadron in the Royal Navy ’s Fleet Air Arm . Known as 700X Naval Air Squadron , where
15368-600: 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 was until 2017 also used by the Royal Air Force in a search and rescue capacity, and has been sold to many countries around
15504-463: Was 826 Naval Air Squadron with nine HAS.5s, which carried out continuous anti-submarine sorties. From the departure of Hermes from Ascension in April until the Argentine surrender, the squadron operated at least three helicopters airborne continuously for fleet protection. On 23 April 1982, a Sea King HC4 was ditched while performing a risky transfer of supplies to a ship at night, operating from
15640-422: Was also the first helicopter to be procured under the US Navy's new weapon system concept, under which Sikorsky was responsible not only for the design and production of the airframe, but all major onboard systems, such as the sonar , navigational equipment, electronic devices, and support equipment. As such, the navigation suite for the rotorcraft was developed jointly by Sikorsky and the US Navy. Key features of
15776-592: Was bombed by Walrus L2268 of 700 NAS from HMS Devonshire and attacked by HMS Milford on 7 November 1940 off the Cameroons . The submarine was damaged and forced to surrender, and later scuttled off the Gulf of Guinea . The crew of Petty Officer P H Parsons, Sub Lt A D Corkhill and N A Evans were all awarded gallantry medals. By the middle of 1943 the squadron strength was down to twenty aircraft as radar made catapult launched aircraft unnecessary. What
15912-475: Was capable of conducting nighttime ASW operations, albeit these usually posed considerable difficulty for the flight crew. The Sea King also performed various other roles and missions such as search-and-rescue, transport, anti-shipping and airborne early warning operations. Aircraft carriers would typically deploy Sea Kings to operate near the carrier as a plane guard , ready to rescue air crew who crashed during takeoff or landing. They were routinely used in
16048-547: Was conducted by Westland and GEC-Marconi. This variant was initially referred to as the Sea King AEW7 , but renamed ASaC7 (Airborne Surveillance and Control Mk.7) just before In Service Date. The main role of the Sea King ASaC7 is detection of low-flying attack aircraft; it also provides interception/attack control and over-the-horizon targeting for surface-launched weapon systems. In comparison to older versions,
16184-636: Was disbanded in July 2014 when it was merged with 702 Naval Air Squadron to form 825 Naval Air Squadron , the first operational FAA AgustaWestland Wildcat unit. In October 2014 the squadron reformed as 700X Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk ), Cornwall. It was initially tasked with Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) for the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle an unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle . The squadron has been setup to undertake Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) trials, and it previously acted as
16320-434: Was equipped with the multirole training aircraft Avro Anson , Fairey Firefly TT.4 target tug, de Havilland Sea Vampire F.20 fighter-bomber, Hawker Sea Hawk day fighter, Westland Wyvern strike aircraft and Fairey Gannet anti-submarine aircraft. 703 STU and 771 FRU had disbanded at RNAS Ford the previous day and they were successfully combined to form 700 Trials and Requirements Unit. One month later, on 19 September
16456-559: Was formed for the war with 10 Sea King HAS.2s modified as utility variants to support ground forces. The anti-submarine equipment was removed and the helicopters fitted with troop seats. Two aircraft embarked in Queen Elizabeth 2 and were later used for moving troops from QE2 to other ships, the remainder embarked in Atlantic Causeway and were used for troop movements around the islands. Embarked in HMS Hermes
16592-457: Was in September 2018, marking an end to half a century of service with the Royal Navy. In 1974, Australia purchased 12 Westland Sea King Mk 50s as the Royal Australian Navy 's new ASW helicopter; the Sea Kings replaced the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne 's complement of Westland Wessex HAS31 in the following year. Early operations were troubled by a series of accidents. Between October 1975 to May 1979, four aircraft were lost in accidents,
16728-422: Was initially capable of generating up to 1,250 shp (930 kW) each. In normal operations, the Sea King typically would have a four-man crew on board; these being a pilot and copilot in the cockpit, and two aircrew stationed within the main cabin area. When conducting anti-submarine missions, the rear aircrew operated the aircraft's sensors and interpreted the generated data. For search-and-rescue missions,
16864-542: Was initially designated HSS-2 , which was intended to imply a level of commonality to the earlier HSS-1 ; it was subsequently redesignated as the SH-3A during the early 1960s. Introduced to service in 1961, it was operated by the United States Navy as a key ASW and utility asset for several decades prior to being replaced by the non-amphibious Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk in the 1990s. In late 1961 and early 1962,
17000-499: Was initially equipped with forty-two Supermarine Walrus flying boats, together with eleven Fairey Seafox and twelve Fairey Swordfish floatplanes . On 21 June 1940, a Walrus ( P5666 ) of 700 Squadron on the cruiser HMS Manchester found the German battleship Scharnhorst but Manchester did not engage. From July, the squadron absorbed small number of Supermarine Walrus operated from RAF Sullom Voe , designated as
17136-566: Was left of A' Flight became 'B' Flight of 771 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Hatston and 700 Naval Air Squadron disbanded on 24 March 1944. 700 Naval Air Squadron reformed on 11 November 1944 as the Maintenance Test Pilot Training Squadron at RNAS Donibristle (HMS Merlin ). It later moved to RNAS Worthy Down (HMS Kestrel ) , Hampshire, and became part of the School of Aircraft Maintenance, operating with
17272-507: Was one of the first ASW rotorcraft to use turboshaft engines. The Sea King has its origins in efforts by the United States Navy to counter the growing threat of Soviet submarines during the 1950s. Accordingly, the helicopter was specifically developed to deliver a capable ASW platform; in particular, it combined the roles of hunter and killer , which had previously been carried out by two separate helicopters. The Sea King
17408-635: Was primarily designed for performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. A Sea King variant known as the Commando was developed by Westland to serve as a troop transport. In British service, the Westland Sea King provided a wide range of services in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force . As well as wartime roles in the Falklands War , the Gulf War , the Bosnian War , the Iraq War and
17544-479: Was realised to allow the Sea King to be deployed upon the flight deck of the Nilgiri class, a practice pioneered by the Royal Canadian Navy using their Sikorsky CH-124 Sea Kings on similar-sized frigates. It proved unfeasible to operate the Sea King from the unmodified Nilgiri class, with the last two ships of the class being fitted with an enlarged flight deck and hangar. This required removal of
17680-609: Was short-listed to conduct further discussions for the NAWSARH programme for up to 16 helicopters. The German Navy placed an order for 22 Sea King Mk.41s on 20 June 1969 as a replacement for the Grumman Albatross flying boat in the Search and Rescue Role. This was the first export sale for the Westland Sea King, and was the first dedicated Search and Rescue Sea King variant, with an enlarged cabin and more fuel. The German Sea Kings had similar radar and navigation equipment to
17816-520: Was spent at RNAS Dundee (HMS Condor II) , a seaplane base / repair depot, in Dundee , where the focus was on water operations, which included night landings. Week seven was a catapult course aboard HMS Pegasus , a Royal Navy aircraft carrier/ seaplane carrier , in the Irish Sea . Week eight was then a return to RNAS Donibristle (HMS Merlin ). The final successful attack on an enemy submarine by
17952-777: Was the CH-3C/E Sea King, used by the U.S. Coast Guard as the HH-3F Pelican, and the Air Force's HH-3E Jolly Green Giant; this version had a ramp at the rear among other changes. During the Cold War , the Soviet Navy built up a large and varied fleet of submarines which at one point was in excess of 200 operational submarines. The US Navy countered this threat by the improvement and development of various anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, which resulted in
18088-450: Was the primary helicopter for retrieving manned space capsules starting with Mercury-Atlas 7 in May 1962. Helicopter 66 was the primary recovery vehicle for Apollo missions 8 and 10 to 13. In February 1971, an SH-3A, operating from the amphibious assault ship USS New Orleans , recovered Apollo 14 . A specialist search and rescue variant of the SH-3, the HH-3, also performed in this capacity. Several Sea Kings, operated by
18224-466: Was the use of a winch 'hauldown' landing and securing method, referred to as a ' Beartrap '. This device considerably increased the ability of Sea Kings to land in difficult conditions, such as on small flight decks or during poor weather conditions. The Sea King was exported in large numbers to various nations, such as Brazil , Italy , Japan and the United Kingdom . Several operators have kept their Sea Kings in use for more than 50 years. During
18360-430: Was used to break the FAI 3 km, 100 km, 500 km and 1000 km helicopter speed records. This series of flights culminated on 5 February 1962 with the HSS-2 setting an absolute helicopter speed record of 210.6 mph (338.9 km/h). This record was broken by a modified French Sud-Aviation Super Frelon helicopter on 23 July 1963 with a speed of 217.77 mph (350.47 km/h). The base design of
18496-540: Was used to transport Major General Jeremy Moore to Port Stanley to accept the surrender of Argentine troops on the island. The squadron flew 1,650 sorties during the war. A Flight of 824 Naval Air Squadron embarked two Sea King HAS.2As aboard RFA Olmeda and were used to move supplies to other ships on the way south and later anti-submarine patrols. C Flight had three Sea King HAS.2As on board RFA Fort Grange which were used for replenishment duties, supplying over 2,000 tons of stores. 825 Naval Air Squadron
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