SH-3 Sea King
Summary
| Category | Military Helicopter |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky |
| First flight | 11 March 1959 |
| Year introduced | 1961 |
| Number produced | 1300 units |
| Average unit price | $25 million |
Description
The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is a military aircraft that was developed with multiple roles in mind. It was initially designed in the early 1950s to serve as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter for the United States Navy. Over time, the aircraft's adaptability led to its use in various missions, including search and rescue, logistics support, and mine countermeasures. It saw deployment on both naval ships and land bases, and was known for its ruggedness and reliability. Despite being a relatively older aircraft, the SH-3 Sea King remained in service with various countries throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
Technical specifications
| Version: SH-3H | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 pilot + 1 copilot et 1 skipper |
| Operational range | 965 km (600 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 267 km/h (166 mph) |
| Wingspan | 19 m (62.3 ft) |
| Height | 5.1 m (16.8 ft) |
| Length | 16.7 m (54.8 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 4,481 m (14,701 ft) |
| Empty weight | 5,382 kg (11,865 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 10,002 kg (22,051 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 11.1 m/s (36.4 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 2 × turbines General Electric T58-GE-10 delivering 1044 kW |
Current operating countries
| Country | Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
India | 31 | |
|
Egypt | 23 | |
|
Pakistan | 19 | |
|
Tunisia | 15 | |
|
Iran | 8 | |
|
Peru | 7 | |
|
Argentina | 6 | |
|
Ukraine | 3 | |
All operators
Armament
Bombs payload:
- Thermonuclear B57 Mod 1
Wikipedia and other open sources.