Fact File: the H-3 Family in WW III

[Matt Wiser]

The Sikorsky H-3 series of choppers and their war service in a variety of roles and users:




The H-3 Sea King Family in World War III


Sikorsky's SH-3 Sea King, and its variants co-produced by Westland, Augusta, and United Aircraft of Canada, was the Free World's prime Antisubmarine helicopter during the Third World War. The aircraft served from the first day of the war until the last, and for some time after the war, until its eventual replacement by either the SH-60 family or by the EH-101 Merlin, depending on the customer. However, some SH-3s and their variants are still in service today.

The related version, the CH-3 and HH-3, are also covered in this work.


Variants:

SH-3A: Original designation HSS-2 under the pre-1962 designation scheme by the USN. Fitted with dipping sonar, MAD, sonobouoys and processing equipment. Used also for recovery of Gemini and Apollo space capsules. 245 built.

HH-3A: Combat SAR version of SH-3A. 12 converted from SH-3As. Used in Vietnam War and by USN Reserve Squadron HC-9 during the Third World War.

VH-3A: VIP transport version used by U.S. Army and Marine Corps. Retired from VIP role 1975 and returned to USN.

RH-3A: Minesweeping variant for USN: Nine converted from SH-3As.

SH-3D: Improved ASW version, with more powerful engines, improved dipping sonar, and sonobuoys.

VH-3D: VIP version of SH-3D for USMC squadron VMX-1. Used for Presidential transportation, replaced by VH-60 and by VH-71.

SH-3G: Utility version; most survivors converted to SH-3Hs.

SH-3H: Final ASW version for USN: AQS-13B dipping sonar, AQS-81 MAD, improved sonobuoy processing capability,

SH-3H-AEW: Airborne Early Warning version, initially produced for Spanish Navy, however, aircraft were impounded by USN prior to delivery, and served in the USN from amphibious ships during the war. The USN was sufficiently impressed to have several SH-3Gs converted to AEW standard. Spanish aircraft eventually delivered to Spanish Navy postwar.


Canadian versions:

CH-124 Sea King: 55 produced by United Aircraft of Canada.

CH-124A: Sea King improvement program with additional avionics and safety features.

CH-124B: Version without dipping sonar but with additional sonobuoys and MAD.

CH-124B2: Upgrade of wartime survivors with improved ASW equipment, dipping sonar, and MAD.



Westland production in the UK:


The Royal Navy selected the SH-3D to replace the Wessex, and a license from Sikorsky to produce the aircraft was obtained by Westland. The aircraft served in the ASW, Commando Transport, AEW, and SAR roles in the RN and the SAR role by the RAF.

Sea King HAS 1: Original Royal Navy version. Radar in a dorsal radome, dipping sonar, five-bladed tail rotor. 56 built.

Sea King HAS 2: Improved RN version for ASW. Upgraded avionics and new dipping sonar, six-bladed tail rotor, improved engines. 21 built plus conversions from HAS 1.

Sea King AEW 2: Conversions of HAS 1 or 2 into AEW variant after Falklands War. Searchwater radar added and all ASW equipment removed.

Sea King HAR 3: RAF Search and Rescue version.

Sea King HAR 3A: Improved SAR version for RAF.

Sea King HC 4: Commando transport/utility version for Royal Navy.

Sea King HC 4X: Single aircraft used by the Empire Test Pilots School.

Sea King HC 4+: Improved transport/utility version for RN.

Sea King Mk.4X: Two helicopters based on the HC.4 for trials/test beds at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough. Fitted with various nose and/or dorsal sensor installations

Sea King HAS 5: Improved ASW version from HAS 2. Improved data processor and sonobuoys, Super Searcher radar, New builds plus conversions. Production continued during the war.

Sea King HAR 5: SAR version for Royal Navy. ASW equipment removed but radar retained. Some used for Combat SAR.

Sea King AEW 5: AEW version of HAS 5 with Searchwater radar and improved data processing.

Sea King HU 5: Utility version of HAS 5 with all ASW equipment removed.

Sea King HAS 6: Definitive ASW version for Royal Navy: Improved avionics, new sonar processor, NVG compatible cockpit and better tactical displays. All HAS 5s converted to 6 standard, plus new production postwar to replace wartime attrition.

Sea King HAS.6(CR) : Surplus ASW helicopters converted to the utility/transport role to help cover period when HC.3s were being upgraded.

Sea King ASaC 7: Upgrade of AEW versions with Searchwater 2000 radar.

Sea King Mark 41: SAR version for West German Navy. No ASW equipment, but retained radar. Upgraded in 1986-88 by Bundesmarine with Seaspray radar, fire-control equipment and AM-39 Exocet missiles instead of Sea Eagle as originally planned.

Sea King Mark 42: Indian Navy ASW version of HAS 1.

Sea King Mark 42A: Indian Navy version with Canadian BEARTRAP system for small ship operations.

Sea King Mark 42B: Indian Navy multipurpose variant: mainly concerned with ASW, but with Sea Eagle anti-ship missile capability (two missiles).

Sea King Mark 42C: SAR version for Indian Navy.

Sea King Mark 43: SAR version for Royal Norwegian Air Force.

Sea King Mark 43A: Upgraded version of Mark 43 for Norway. One built.

Sea King Mark 43B: Final version of Mark 43 for Norway with FLIR, improved radar, NVG compatible cockpit.

Sea King Mark 44: ASW and Anti-surface warfare version for Pakistan Navy. Capable of carrying Exocet ASMs.

Sea King Mark 47: ASW version for Egyptian Navy.

Sea King Mark 48: SAR version for Belgian AF.

Sea King Mark 50: ASW version for Royal Australian Navy.

Sea King Mark 50A: Two attrition replacements for RAN.

Sea King Mark 50B: Multirole (ASW, ASUW, SAR) for RAN. Conversions of existing airframes.

Commando Mark 1: Tactical transport version for Egyptian AF

Commando Mark 2: Improved Mark 1 with sponsons and flotation gear deleted, more powerful engines and non-folding rotors.

Commando Mark 2B: Egyptian AF VIP transport version.

Commando Mark 2C: VIP transport version for Qatari AF. One built.

Commando Mark 2E: Electronic Warfare version for Egyptian AF.

Commando Mark 3: Anti-surface warfare version for Qatari AF: dorsal radar and Exocet missiles.


Italian Production: (Augusta):

AS-61: Company designation for SH-3 built by Augusta.

AS-61A-1: Italian export version for Malaysian AF

AS-61A-4: Military transport and SAR variant for Malaysian AF

AS-61N-1 Silver: Licensed production version of S-61N.

AS-61VIP: VIP transport version

ASH-3A (SH-3G): Utility transport version.

ASH-3D: Licensed production version of SH-3D. Used by Italian Navy, Brazilian Navy,Iranian Navy, Peruvian Navy, and Argentine Navy.

ASH-3STS: VIP transport version for Italian AF.

ASH-3H: Licensed production version of SH-3H. Flown by Italian Navy.


Mitsubishi Production (Japan):

Japanese MSDF designation HSS-2. (the original USN designation)

S-61A: License produced version of S-61A for JMSDF in SAR and utility roles.

HSS-2: Licensed produced version of SH-3A for JMSDF ASW mission.

HSS-2A: Licensed produced version of SH-3D for JMSDF

HSS-2B: Licensed production of SH-3H for JMSDF. Continued production during the war for both JMSDF and for USN, RN, RAN, and Canada.


Sikorsky Company Designations:

S-61; Company designation for SH-3.

S-61A: Export version for Danish AF SAR and Utility mission.

S-61A-4 Nuri: Malaysian AF version for SAR, combat transport and utility work.

S-61B: Export version of SH-3A for JMSDF. Three delivered prior to Mitsubishi beginning production.

S-61D-3: Export version of SH-3D for Brazilian Navy.

S-61D-4:Export version of SH-3D for Argentine Navy.

S-61NR: Argentine AF SAR version.

S-61V: Company designation for VH-3A: One built for Indonesian AF.

S-61R: Company designation for USAF and USCG HH-3 versions.

CH/HH-3 Family:


Developed as a private venture by the Sikorsky company, adopted by USAF in 1964 as CH-3C Conventional hull instead of boat hull, though watertight; retractable tricycle landing gear, rear ramp are main difference from SH-3 family. CH-3E followed in 1965, with the HH-3 following later. HH-3F Pelican developed from HH-3E for USCG use. Italian AF adopted the HH-3F with armor, door guns, and other Combat SAR equipment, with license production via Augusta.

CH-3C: Initial USAF version for cargo/utility missions and SAR.

CH-3E: Improved CH-3C, with more powerful engines, armor, and provision for door guns.

HH-3E Jolly Green Giant: Dedicated Combat SAR helicopter, ten new-builds and conversions from existing CH-3C/E versions.

MH-3E: Special Operations version, flown by USAF Reserve. Used for Special Operations support and Combat SAR.

VH-3E: USAF VIP transport version.

HH-3F Pelican: Long-range SAR helicopter for U.S. Coast Guard. Used during the war for overwater SAR in low-threat environments.

AS-61R: Augusta produced version of HH-3F for Italian AF. Used for SAR and later, Combat SAR. Also sold to Argentine AF


The SH-3/HH-3 and its variants saw service during the war and after with the following users:

Allies:

U.S. Navy

U.S. Air Force

U.S. Coast Guard

Royal Navy

Royal Air Force

Royal Australian Navy

Royal Canadian Navy

Brazilian Navy


Neutral users:

Argentine Navy

Indian Navy

Iranian Navy

Iraqi Air Force

Royal Malaysian Air Force

Peruvian Navy


Neutralist (later reformed NATO) users:

Belgian Air Force

Royal Danish Air Force

Italian Air Force

Italian Navy

Spanish Navy (SH-3D/H, later SH-3H AEW)

West German Navy