Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King

"SH-3" redirects here. For other uses, see SH3 (disambiguation).
SH-3 Sea King
US Navy SH-3H Sea King helicopters
Role ASW/SAR/utility helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight 11 March 1959
Introduction 1961
Retired Retired by United States Navy in 2006
Status In service
Primary users United States Navy (historical)
Italian Navy
Brazilian Navy
Argentine Naval Aviation
Produced 1959–1970s
Unit cost
$6.4 million[1]
Variants Sikorsky S-61L/N
Sikorsky S-61R
Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King
Westland 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 was the world's first amphibious helicopter and one of the first ASW rotorcraft to use turboshaft engines.[2]

Introduced in 1961, it served in the United States Navy as a key ASW and utility asset for several decades before being replaced by the non-amphibious Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk in the 1990s. The type also proved popular in civil service and with foreign military customers. As of 2015, many remain in service in nations around the world. The Sea King has been built under license by Agusta in Italy, Mitsubishi in Japan, and by Westland in the United Kingdom as the Westland Sea King. The major civil versions are the S-61L and S-61N.

Development

Origins

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 decided to counter this threat perusing the improvement and development of various anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, which would result in the development of the Sea King.[3] During the late 1950s, the US Navy was keen to take advantage of newly made progress upon turboshaft engines by commissioning a sizable navalised helicopter for their purposes. Sikorsky received a request from the US Navy to design a new turbine-powered helicopter capable of performing the ASW mission; the specification provided included a dunking sonar, a mission endurance of four hours, and the ability to support a weapons load of 840 lb.[4]

In 1957, Sikorsky was awarded a contract to produce an all-weather amphibious helicopter for the U.S. Navy. As per the earlier specification, this new helicopter was to excel at ASW; in particular, it would combine the roles of hunter and killer, as these duties had previously been carried out by two separate helicopters.[5][4] It 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 itself but all of the 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.[6]

SH-3As of HS-6 above Kearsarge in the early 1960s

Key features of the emerging ASW helicopter would include its amphibious hull, enabling the rotorcraft to readily perform water landings, and the adoption of a twin-turboshaft engine arrangement that enabled a larger, heavier and better-equipped aircraft than had been possible with prior helicopters.[5][7][6] The designation HSS-2 was applied to imply a level of commonality to the earlier HSS-1, should political sentiment turn against the development of an entirely new rotorcraft.[4] A total of ten prototypes were produced to support the development program.[8] In March 1959, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight.[5]

In early 1961, a pair of prototypes were stationed on board the aircraft carrier Lake Champlain to fulfill a demand for carrier suitability trials to be conducted; these trials, which had involved testing the folding mechanism of the main rotor blades and a series of takeoffs performed during winds of up to 50 MPH, were completed successfully in mid-1961.[9][8] Shortly after the competition of suitability trials, the US Navy formally accepted delivery of the first HSS-2 rotorcraft, which would be subsequently re-designated as the SH-3A, in September 1961.[10] Upon entering service, it was not only the largest amphibious helicopter in the world, but also held the distinction of being the first all-weather rotorcraft to reach production status for the US Navy.[6]

In late 1961 and early 1962, 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. This series of flights culminated on 5 February 1962 with the HSS-2 setting an absolute helicopter speed record of 210.6 mph.[11][12] This record was broken by a modified French Sud-Aviation Super Frelon helicopter on 23 July 1963 with a speed of 217.7 mph.[13]

Further developments

The base design of 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 Sea King for other markets beyond the US Navy.[8] 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 the type to service on 11 March 1962.[14][15] Another noteworthy Sea King variant, the significant change this time being the adoption of a conventional hull, 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.[16]

SH-3H deploying a dipping sonar, 1989

In US Navy service, the initial SH-3A model of 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.[5] 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 the face of operational needs.[17]

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) became a major operator of the type (see Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King), the Sea King continues to operate as Canada's dominant maritime helicopter 50 years following its introduction to service in 1963.[18] One notable innovation in Canadian operations, which was subsequently adopted by several other nations, was the use of a winch 'hauldown' landing 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.[18][19]

In addition to aircraft manufactured by Sikorsky, several license agreements were issued to other firms to produce the type, such as Mitsubishi in Japan and Agusta in Italy. Another licensee in the United Kingdom, Westland Helicopters, would substantially modify the Sea King, producing the Westland Sea King.[20][21][22] Unlike US Navy Sea Kings, the Westland Sea King was intended for greater autonomous operation.[23] In total, Westland produced 330 Sea Kings; beyond British operators, export customers of Westland's Sea King included the Indian Naval Air Arm, the German Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Norwegian Air Force.[24]

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.[25][26][27] While Sikorsky had ended production of the type during the 1970s, it was reported that nearly 600 Sea Kings were in operational service in 2009.[28]

Design

SH-3A landing on the sea in 1964

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 holds the distinction of being the first operational American helicopter to be able to simultaneously hunt and destroy submarines.[6] Its twin-turboshaft powerplant layout gave the SH-3 a higher payload and greater reliability than previous anti-submarine helicopters.[5] In the event of a single engine failing, the Sea King could continue flying on a single engine.[29] The powerplant used on the Sea King was the General Electric T58-GE-8B, which was initially capable of generating up to 1,250 shp each.[6]

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 would operate and monitor the aircraft's detection equipment and interpreted the sensor data that would be generated.[30] For search-and-rescue missions, 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.[31]

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 compact storage onboard ships.[6] The adoption of an amphibious hull allowed a Sea King to readily conduct a water landing and, being completely watertight, would enable the rotorcraft to remaining floating for prolonged periods upon the ocean's surface like a boat; deployable airbags in the aircraft's sponsons would add to the rotorcraft's stability and buoyancy, effectively resisting the pitching and rolling motions it would be subject to while present upon the water's surface.[7] The hull design was also compatible with landing upon a wide range of challenging terrain, including ice, snow, swamp land, and tundra.[6] Conventional wheels are installed in the sponsons for traditional land operations.[6]

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.[32] The Sea King could also be fitted to deploy the B57 nuclear bomb.[33] ASW equipment used on Sea Kings has included the AQS-13A/B/E dipping sonar, specialized computers for processing sonar and sonobuoy data, various models of sonobuoys, ARR-75 Sonobuoy Receivers, and Magnetic Anomaly Detectors. The commonly fitted AKT-22 data link enabled the rapid dissemination of gathered sonar information to other friendly elements in range.[34] Some later Sea King models featured digital navigation systems and overhauled cockpit instrumentation for night vision compatibility.[35]

Operational history

Several UH-3H Sea Kings taking off, 2003

The Sea King became operational with the United States Navy in June 1961 as the HSS-2. When the unified aircraft designation system was introduced, the aircraft's designation changed to SH-3A. It was used primarily for anti-submarine warfare: detecting and tracking Soviet submarines; in the event of an outright military conflict, they would have been used to launch attacks upon them as well.[36] Sea Kings could also operate from offshore platforms to extend their surveillance and strike range. Nighttime ASW operations were possible, albeit posing considerable difficulty for the flight crew.[37][38]

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.[39] They routinely transferred personnel and mail between vessels.[37]

The Sea King was exported in large numbers to Brazil, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.[40] Several operators have kept their Sea Kings in use for more than 50 years.[41][42]

During 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.[43] 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.[8] The Sea King was also used for medical evacuations and disaster relief efforts.[37]

U.S. Marine Corps VH-3 Sea King, operating as Marine One, landing on the front lawn of the White House

The SH-3 was the primary helicopter for retrieving manned space capsules starting with Mercury-Atlas 7 in May 1962.[44] In February 1971, an SH-3A, operating from the amphibious assault ship USS New Orleans, recovered Apollo 14.[45] A specialist search and rescue variant of the SH-3, the HH-3, also performed in this capacity.[7]

Several Sea Kings, operated by 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 is pending under the VXX program.[46][47] In 1992, the US Justice Department sued Sikorsky over allegations of overcharged component pricing and deliberately misleading US Navy negotiators.[48] In 1997, the Justice Department issued further accusations against Sikorsky of willful overcharging on a contract to upgrade the Navy's Sea Kings.[49]

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.[50] However, the SH-3 continued to operate in reserve units in roles including logistical support, search and rescue, and transport. On 27 January 2006, the SH-3 was ceremonially retired at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, by Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2 (HC-2).[51] They have been replaced by increasingly advanced variants of the SH-60 Sea Hawk.[37]

Variants

A SH-3D Sea King helps recover Apollo 17. Ticonderoga is in the background
Army One, a VH-3A "Sea King" that served in the Presidential fleet from 1961-76, on permanent display at the Nixon Library
SH-3G in 1981

US military

XHSS-2
The only prototype of the H-3 Sea King.[52]
YHSS-2
Pre-production S-61 aircraft, seven built for the U.S. Navy,[53] re-designated YSH-3A in 1962.[52]
HSS-2
Original designation of the Sea King. Changed to SH-3A by the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system
SH-3A 
Anti-submarine warfare helicopter for the U.S. Navy; 245 built. Originally designated HSS-2.[5]
HH-3A
Combat search and rescue helicopter for the U.S. Navy. 12 converted from SH-3A.[5]
CH-3A
Military transport version for the U.S. Air Force; three converted from SH-3As into CH-3A configuration; they later became CH-3Bs.[54]
NH-3A (S-61F)
Experimental high-speed compound helicopter, with extensive streamlining, no floats, short wings carrying two turbojet engines for extra speed; one converted from SH-3A. 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.[55]
RH-3A
Minesweeper helicopter for the U.S. Navy. Nine converted from SH-3A aircraft.[52]
VH-3A
VIP transport helicopter for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps; originally designated HSS-2Z. Eight built, plus two SH-3A conversions rebuilt from damaged helicopters (one YHSS-2 and one SH-3A). The rest were returned to the U.S. Navy in 1975–76 and replaced by the VH-3D.
CH-3B
Military transport helicopter for the U.S. Air Force.[53]
SH-3D
Anti-submarine warfare helicopter for the U.S. Navy. 73 built and two conversions from SH-3As.[5]
VH-3D
VIP transport helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps, 11 built. It entered service in 1976.[56]
SH-3G
Cargo, utility transport helicopter for the U.S. Navy. 105 conversions from SH-3A and SH-3D.[5]
SH-3H
Upgrade of the SH-3G as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter for the U.S. Navy.[5] It included SH-3G features with improvements for ASW, anti-ship missile detection and other airframe improvements. 163 SH-3A/D/Gs were upgraded to SH-3H configuration.[56]
SH-3H AEW
Airborne early warning version for the Spanish navy.
UH-3H
Cargo, utility transport version for the U.S. Navy; converted from SH-3H by removing ASW systems.[56]

Sikorsky designations

S-61
Company designation for the Sea King.[5]
S-61A
Export version for the Royal Danish Air Force. Wider pontoons without flotation bags, a 530-liter center tank instead of a dipping sonar and no automatic powered folding system.[57]
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.[53]
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-61V
Company designation for the VH-3A. One built for Indonesia.
S-61L/N
Main article: Sikorsky S-61
Civil versions of the Sea King.
S-61R
Main article: Sikorsky S-61R
The S-61R served in the United States Air Force as the CH-3C/E Sea King and the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, and with the United States Coast Guard and the Italian Air Force as the HH-3F Sea King (more commonly referred to by the nickname "Pelican").[58]

United Aircraft of Canada

Main article: CH-124 Sea King
Canadian Sikorsky CH-124A Sea King
CH-124
Anti-submarine warfare helicopter for the Royal Canadian Navy (41 assembled by United Aircraft of Canada).[59]
CH-124A
The Sea King Improvement Program (SKIP) added modernized avionics as well as improved safety features.[59]
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 five 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.[59]
CH-124B2
Six CH-124Bs were upgraded to the CH-124B2 standard in 1991–1992. The revised CH-124B2 retained the sonobuoy processing gear to passively detect submarines but was 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.[59]
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.[59]
CH-124U
Unofficial designation for four CH-124s that were modified for passenger/freight transport. One crashed in 1973, and the survivors were later refitted to become CH-124A's.[59]

Westland

Main article: Westland Sea King
Westland Sea King AEW.2A of the Royal Navy in 1998

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.

Agusta

AS-61
Company designation for the H-3 Sea King built under license in Italy by Agusta.
AS-61A-1
Italian export model for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
AS-61A-4
Military transport, search and rescue helicopter.[60]
AS-61N-1 Silver
License built model of the S-61N, with a shortened cabin.
AS-61VIP
VIP transport helicopter.[60]
ASH-3A (SH-3G)
Utility transport helicopter
ASH-3D
Anti-submarine warfare helicopter. Flown by the Italian, Brazilian, Iranian, Peruvian and Argentinian navies.[60]
ASH-3TS
VIP, executive transport mission helicopter. Also known as the ASH-3D/TS, the Italian Air Force operated 2 from 1975 until 2012.[60][61]
ASH-3H
Anti-submarine warfare helicopter.[60]

Mitsubishi

S-61A
License-built version of the S-61A as Search-and-Rescue and Utility helicopters for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. 18 built.
HSS-2
License-built version of the S-61B as an anti-submarine warfare helicopter for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. 55 built.
HSS-2A
License-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
License-built version of the S-61B(SH-3H) as an anti-submarine warfare helicopter for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. 23 built.

Operators

Royal Air Force Westland Sea King helicopter, a licensed derivative of the Sea King
A Brazilian Navy SH-3 Sea King on approaching USS Bunker Hill.
Iran's Navy Aviation ASH-3D Sea King in Velayat-90 Naval Exercise
LASD's Rescue 5, H-3 Sea King, flies offshore of Rancho Palos Verdes.
 Argentina
 Brazil
 Canada
 Denmark
 India
 Iran
 Iraq
 Italy
 Japan
 Malaysia
 Peru
 Spain
 Saudi Arabia
 United States
 Venezuela

Aircraft on display

Specifications (SH-3)

External video
SH-3 at NAS Oceana Airshow, 2004
External and cockpit footage of Sea King start up and take off

Data from Omnifarious Sea King,[84] U.S. Navy Fact File.[1]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 "H-3 Sea King helicopter." U.S. Navy Fact File, Retrieved: 17 April 2012.
  2. Leoni 2007, p. 251.
  3. Fieldhouse and Taoka 1989, pp. 70–71, 74.
  4. 1 2 3 Mutza 2010, p. 106.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Chant 1988, p. 464.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "HSS-2." Flight International, 15 May 1959. p. 696.
  7. 1 2 3 Jackson 2005, p. 207.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Mutza 2010, p. 107.
  9. "HSS-2 Completes Carrier Trials." Naval Aviation News, July 1961, pp. 22–23.
  10. Frawley 2003, p. 194.
  11. Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1963–1964, Jane's All The World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd.
  12. "USN HSS-2's 200 m.p.h." Flight International, 15 February 1962. p. 233.
  13. Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–1967, Jane's All The World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd.
  14. Apostolo, G. "Sikorsky S-61".The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. Bonanza Books, 1984. ISBN 0-517-43935-2.
  15. "The Self-Supporting Helicopter" Time Magazine. 26 December 1960.
  16. Apostolo, Giorgio. "Sikorsky S-61R". The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books. 1984. ISBN 978-0-517-43935-7.
  17. Williamson 2000, pp. 149, 167.
  18. 1 2 Gordon, Lisa, The King at sea" Vertical Magazine, 9 December 2013. Accessed: 11 December 2013.
  19. "Haze Gray & Underway - The Canadian Navy of Yesterday & Today - Sea King".
  20. Uttley 2001, p. 206.
  21. McGowen 2005, p. 119.
  22. Thorn and Frawley 1998, p. 164.
  23. Lake 1996, pp. 114–115.
  24. McGowen 2005, pp. 120, 126.
  25. "India Buys Six U.S. Navy Sea Kings." Sea Power, 1 February 2007.
  26. "Last U.S. Navy Sea King Helicopter Delivered." Navy News, 21 November 2005.
  27. "Former Presidential helicopter redelivered to the Egyptian Government." NavAir News, 17 June 2009.
  28. Baruzzi, Cara. "Flight Plan: At 50, Sikorsky’s Sea King gets an upgrade." New Haven Register, 6 September 2009.
  29. Bishop and Chant 2004, p. 208.
  30. Williamson 2000, p. 169.
  31. "HSS-2." Flight International, 15 May 1959. p. 697.
  32. Byers 1986, p. 232.
  33. Fieldhouse and Taoka 1989, pp. 72–73.
  34. Biass 1985, p. 543.
  35. Chesneau 1985, pp. 2–3, 5.
  36. Blair 2004, p. 42.
  37. 1 2 3 4 Dorsey, Jack. "Navy bids farewell to Sea King helicopter." Pilot Online, 28 January 2006.
  38. S.R. Arends, Harrington, J.H., Karlsson, C.R., Pellerin, A. E., and Staley, M. "Military Use of Offshore Platforms." Naval War College Newport, 9 April 1979. ADA075840.
  39. Bishop and Chant 2004, p. 91.
  40. Chant 1988, pp. 182–183.
  41. Tutton, Michael. "Gritty Sea King helicopters still flying after 50 years of service." Globe and Mail, 31 July 2013.
  42. "BBC 2 programme Sea King: Britain's flying past 28 February 2013." Fleet Air Arm Officers Association 18 February 2013.
  43. Marolda 1996, pp. 70–80.
  44. Blair 2004, p. 87.
  45. "Apollo 14 crewmen step aboard U.S.S. New Orleans after splashdown." NASA Images, Retrieved: 17 April 2012.
  46. Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing says AW101 one of its three options for VXX." FlightGlobal.com, 8 June 2010. Retrieved: 10 June 2010.
  47. Cavas, Christopher P. "Former Competitors Join Forces for Helo Program." Defense News, 19 April 2010.
  48. "Sikorsky sued over alleged Sea King overcharges." Defense Daily, 1 July 1992.
  49. Pazniokas, Mark. "Testimony Begins In Sikorsky Trial." Hartford Courant, 17 July 1997.
  50. Blair 2004, p. 44.
  51. "U.S. Navy Retires Sea Kings." Rotor & Wing, 15 March 2006.
  52. 1 2 3 Eden 2004, p. 410.
  53. 1 2 3 Donald 1997, p. 843.
  54. Eden 2004, p. 413.
  55. Leoni 2007, pp. 26–28.
  56. 1 2 3 Eden 2004, p. 411.
  57. page 435 in Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1980, ISBN 0-531-03953-6
  58. United States, 1974, p. A-40; 1998, p. A-43; 2004, p. 43.
  59. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Durning, Michael. "CH-124 Sea King Variants." Canadian American Strategic Review (web archive). Retrieved: 18 April 2012.
  60. 1 2 3 4 5 Chant 1988, p. 356.
  61. 1 2 "Agusta Sikorsky SH-3D/TS". aeronautica.difesa.it. 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  62. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "World Air Forces 2014" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  63. "Royal Canadian Navy (1945–1968)". Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  64. "Flyvevåbnet H-3". Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  65. "Danish Defence Website: Helicopters retired after 45 years (Article in Danish)". Retrieved 8 June 2010.
  66. "DR Broadcaster: Helicopters retired (Article in Danish)". Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  67. "World's Air Forces 1987 pg. 65". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  68. "Iraqi Agusta-SH-3D". Demand media. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  69. "JMSDF S-61". Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  70. "World's Air Forces 1987 pg. 81". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  71. "US Navy SH-3". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  72. 1 2 "Marine Helicopter Squadron-1 (HMX-1) Nighthawks". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  73. "3 Super Puma Helicopters Acquired For Sheriff's Department Air Rescue". ©2012 CBS Local Media. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
  74. "Tour Exhibits: Planes & Flight Deck - SH-3G Sea King." Patriots Point. Retrieved: 18 April 2012.
  75. 1 2 "S-61 H-3 in US Navy." Helicopter Database. Retrieved: 18 April 2012.
  76. "SH-3H Sea King." Aviation Museum: NAS Norfolk. Retrieved: 18 April 2012.
  77. "SH-3H Sea King." Aviation Museum: Quonset Air Museum. Retrieved: 18 April 2012.
  78. "Aircraft On Display." National Museum of Naval Aviation, Retrieved: 20 August 2012.
  79. "Air Force One Pavilion." Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Retrieved: 20 August 2012.
  80. "The Museum - Helicopter." Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Retrieved: 20 August 2012.
  81. "Helicopters." Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Retrieved: 5 July 2012.
  82. http://flymuseum.dk/fly?id=226:sikorsky-s-61a-sea-king&catid=34
  83. Museo de la Aviacion Naval - Hangar de Restauracion - Sea King (retrieved 2014-08-09)
  84. Air International May 1981, p. 218.

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Further reading

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