Video walkaround of the above helicopter
HISTORY OF THE SH-3
The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King, an amphibious anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, entered service in 1961 and served until its official retirement in 2006. While not designed for ground attack, this impressive and elegant aircraft excelled in its primary role. Armed with a suite of depth charges, torpedoes, sonobuoys, and advanced sensors, the Sea King was a formidable hunter, capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing underwater threats.
During the height of the Cold War in the late 1950s, the United States Navy recognized a growing strategic challenge posed by the Soviet Union’s expanding submarine fleet. This underwater capability presented a significant threat to naval operations, the security of allied shipping lanes, and national security. To counter this emerging threat, the Navy identified the critical need for a dedicated airborne anti-submarine warfare platform. They envisioned a robust, all-weather helicopter capable of operating from aircraft carriers and possessing the range, endurance, and payload capacity to deploy sophisticated detection systems and weaponry against submerged targets effectively. This operational requirement inspired the development of a new generation of naval helicopters.
In response to the Navy’s specifications, Sikorsky Aircraft designed and developed the HSS-2, which would later become famously known as the SH-3 Sea King. Sikorsky’s innovative design incorporated several key features tailored to its demanding ASW mission. These included an amphibious hull, providing the capability for water landings and emergency ditching; a spacious cabin to accommodate a multi-person crew and a comprehensive suite of sonar equipment, electronic warfare systems, and anti-submarine ordnance; and the integration of twin General Electric T-58 turboshaft engines, offering substantial power for high-speed transit to target areas and the lift capacity required for heavy payloads. The successful first flight of the prototype in March 1959 validated the core design principles, leading to extensive operational evaluations and carrier suitability trials conducted by the U.S. Navy.
Following successful testing and evaluation, the SH-3 Sea King was officially commissioned into U.S. Navy service in September 1961. This marked a significant advancement in naval aviation’s ASW capabilities, providing a mobile and responsive platform for detecting, tracking, and engaging enemy submarines. The aircraft’s early demonstration of impressive speed records further highlighted its performance potential. The SH-3 underwent continuous upgrades and modifications throughout its operational lifespan, including developing the SH-3H variant with enhanced sensor packages and integrated avionics. This ensured its continued relevance as a vital asset in naval defense until its eventual replacement by the newer SH-60 Seahawk in 2006.
SH-3H stats
Aircraft characteristics (in a clean configuration) :
Length: 72ft 7.5in
Width: 16ft 4in
Height: 15ft 4in
Rotor diameter: 62 ft
Top Speed: 157 MPH/252 KPH
Max Altitude: 15,750 ft
Max Range: around 600 miles (965 km)
Max Fuel: up to 6.6 hours
Crew: 5 (with door gunners), 4 (without door gunners)
Armament:
1x M60D or M163 door-mounted machine gun (right side)
2x 350 lbs AN-MK 54 (mod 1) depth bomb
2x 518 lbs anti-submarine active homing torpedo MK-46 (100 lbs warhead)
2x MK 14 (Mod 0) depth charge
120x flares/chaff (usually chaff due to the chaff being mostly used as a last resort to protect its ship)
21x sonobuoys
Sensors/electronics:
AN/AQS-13B Sonar detector set
AN/APQ-107 Radar altitude warning set
AN/APX-72 Radar identification set
AN/ASQ-81 (v)(-2) Magnetic detector set
AN/ALE-37 Countermeasure dispenser
LN 66 HP Search radar
AN/ALR-54 Electronic surveillance measures radar
Pros:
Can refuel while hovering above its landing pad (but not rearm)
Has an incredible first-person field of view
Amphibious
Fast
lots of sensors
Plenty of countermeasures
long flight time
Twin engines
Cons:
No forward-facing guns
No self-sealing fuel tanks
No ranged air-to-ground weaponry
- Yes
- No
Additional Facts:
- The Sh-3 is amphibious and is able to land and float in water for a limited duration.
- The Sh-3 was featured in a prominent role in the movie “The Final Countdown”.
- The Sh-3 was used to pick up astronauts after splashdown.
- The Sh-3 was capable of using a NUCLEAR bomb/depth (on a significant time delay) charge and operationally did use it during testing.
- The Sh-3 was formerly used to transport the President of the United States.
Potential skins
SH-3 from the USS Nimitz CVN-68
SH-3 from the USS Ticonderoga CV-14
SH-3 onboard the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point, South Carolina
SH-3 from the USS Constellation CV-64
SH-3 from the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67
Sources
Avialogs: Aviation Library - 4263 SH-3A Standard Aircraft Characteristics - 1 July 1967 SH-3A Standard aircraft characteristics (declassified)
SH-3G Sea King | Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
H-3 Sea King - Military Aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft Sikorsky S-61 Sea King (CH-3 / SH-3) - Specifications - Technical Data / Description
https://www.aahs-online.org/images/Navy_SAC/SH-3H.pd (1972 and previous version unclassified according to the Naval History and Historical Command)
https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2167898/mk-46-lightweight-torpedo/
https://www.avialogs.com/aircraft-s/sikorsky/item/5149-flight-manual-for-sikorsky-helicopter-model-s-61l
videos work on youtube but not here (except for the first one)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4HxhXI7FkA&ab_channel=HornetMuseum
https://youtu.be/VqXKYYlA-2Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8jjIXxPcpw&ab_channel=ErnestCooperJr.