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Sikorsky S-61R
| S-61R/CH-3C/E HH-3E Jolly Green Giant HH-3F "Pelican" | |
|---|---|
| US Coast Guard HH-3F Pelican | |
| Type | Medium-lift transport/SAR helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Agusta |
| Maiden flight | 1959 |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary users | United States Air Force United States Coast Guard Italian Air Force |
| Developed from | SH-3 Sea King |
| Variants | Westland Sea King |
The Sikorsky S-61R is a developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, which was also built under license by Agusta as the AS-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 as the HH-3F "Pelican".[1]
Contents
Development
The Sikorsky S-61R was developed as a derivative of their S-61/SH-3 Sea King model. It features a substantially-revised fuselage with a rear loading ramp, a conventional though water-tight hull instead of the S-61's boat-hull, and retractable tricycle landing gear. The fuselage layout was used by Sikorsky for the larger CH-53 variants, and by the much later (though similarly-sized) S-92.
Sikorsky designed and built a S-61R prototype as a private venture with its first flight in 1963.[2] During its development, the US Air Force placed an order for the aircraft, which was designated CH-3C.[2] The Air Force used the CH-3C to recover downed pilots. The CH-3E variant with more powerful engines would follow in 1965.
The improved HH-3E variant would follow later, with eight built, and all CH-3Es converted to this standard.[3] Known as the Jolly Green Giant, the HH-3E featured protective armor, self-sealing tanks, a retractable inflight refueling probe, jettisonable external tanks, a high-speed hoist, and other specialized equipment.[3]
In 1965, U. S. Coast Guard ordered a version designated, HH-3F Sea King (more commonly known by its nickname "Pelican") for all-weather water rescue.[2] Its "water landing" ability made it a dependable workhorse from the late 1960s until it was phased out in the late 1990s. The Pelican featured a search radar with a nose antenna radome offset to port.[3][1]
Italian Agusta built a S-61R variant, named AS-61R under license.[2] Agusta produced 22 helicopters for the Italian Air Force.[2] The company claims it could re-open the production line in 36 months to build additional AS-61 helicopters.
Operational service
Italy
Italian Agusta began production in 1974 and delivered 22 helicopters as replacements for the Grumman HU-16 Albatross used for SAR (Search and Rescue) missions at sea. Italian Air Force AS-61R helicopters perform SAR missions in time of peace and C/SAR (Combat SAR) in time of crisis or during military assignment. All helicopters are operated by the 5 flights of the 15° Stormo Stefano Cagna and deployed in 4 bases across Italy.
From 1993 15° Stormo carry support missions to the civilians during natural catastrophes and disasters in Italy. 83º Centro C/SAR is engaged with SAR missions in the hostile zones of the several operations abroad where Italian Armed Forces are deployed - Somalia, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Variants
- S-61R
- Military transport helicopter, Sikorsky model number.
- CH-3C
- Long-range military transport helicopter for the US Air Force, 75 built.
- CH-3E
- Long-range military transport helicopter for the US Air Force, 45 Built.
- HH-3E Jolly Green Giant
- Long-range search and rescue helicopter for the US Air Force, 10 built and converted from CH-3E.
- MH-3E
- Special forces version for the US Air Force.
- VH-3E
- US Air Force VIP transport helicopter.
- HH-3F "Pelican"
- Long-range search and rescue helicopter for the US Coast Guard, 40 built.
- AS-61R (HH-3F Pelican)
- Long-range search and rescue helicopter built since 1974 under license in Italy by Agusta, 22 built.
Operators
Military operators
- Italian Air Force received 22 helicopters. All are operated by the 15° Stormo Stefano Cagna, part of the 9ª Brigata Aerea (Aerial Brigade). Helicopters of the 15° Stormo were deployed in 5 flights in different parts of the Italian peninsula.
- 81° Centro, Training SAR, Pratica di Mare AB
- 82° Centro C/SAR, Trapani
- 83º Centro C/SAR, Rimini-Miramare AB
- 84° Centro C/SAR, Brindisi
- 85° Centro C/SAR, Pratica di Mare AB
Civil operators
- Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.
- San Bernardino County Sherrif's Department (CH-3C)
Specifications (HH-3E)
Data from Evergreen, [4] Global[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Capacity: ? passengers
- Length: 73 ft (22.3 m)
- Rotor diameter: 62 ft (18.9 m)
- Height: 18 ft 1 in (5.51 m)
- Empty weight: 13,341 lb (6,051 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 22,050 lb (10,000 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× General Electric T58-10 turboshafts, 1,500 hp (1,119 kW) each
- *Rotor system: 5 blades
Performance
- Maximum speed: 143 kn (165 mph, 265 km/h)
- Range: 779 mi (677 NM, 1,254 km)
- Service ceiling: 17,500 or 21,000? ft (5,334 m or 6,400 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,310-2,220? ft/min (400-670? m/min)
- Disc loading: 6,500 lb (2,948 kg)
- Fuel: 683 US gal (2,585 L)
Armament
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 United States. Department of Defense. DOD 4120.15-L Model Designation of Military Aircraft, Rockets, and Guided Missiles. Washington, DC: Department of Defense, 1974. pg. A-40; 1998. pg. A-43; 2004. pg. 43
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Sikorsky S-61R on avia.russian.ee
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chant, Christopher (1996). Fighting Helicopters of the 20th Century. Twickenham, UK: Tiger Books International PLC. ISBN 1-85501-808-X.
- ↑ EvergreenAviation.com S-61R specs
- ↑ HH-3 specificatins on GlobalSecurity.org
External links
- Sikorsky products
- US Coast Guard history page
- CH-3, HH-3 and HH-3F Pelican pages on GlobalSecurity.org
- Sikorsky S-61R page on avia.russian.ee
Related content
Related development
Designation sequence
- Sikorsky:
- U.S. Military:
See also
Template:Sikorsky Aircraft
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