Sikorsky S-61R
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| S-61R/CH-3C/E HH-3E Jolly Green Giant HH-3F "Pelican" |
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|---|---|
 US Coast Guard HH-3F Pelican |
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| Type | Medium-lift transport/SAR helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Agusta |
| Maiden flight | 1959 |
| Introduction | 1961 |
| 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]
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[edit] 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] The Pelican featured a search radar with a nose antenna radome offset to port,[3][1] and water landing capability.
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.
[edit] Operational service
[edit] United States
USAF variants served in numerous air rescue squadrons and aerospace rescue and recovery squadons of the Military Airlift Command (MAC), rescue squadrons of the Air Combat Command (ACC) and other USAF major commands world-wide. The aircraft was also used by a number of Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard rescue squadrons. All USAF HH-3Es, to include Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, were retired in the 1990s and replaced by the current HH-60G Pavehawk.
HH-3F Sea King was a dependable workhorse from the late 1960s until it was phased out in the late 1990s. All USCG HH-3Fs have since been replaced by the HH-60J Jayhawk.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Variants
- S-61R
- Military transport helicopter, Sikorsky model number.
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- 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.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military operators
- Argentine Navy - Received 2 S-61Rs[citation needed]
- Italian Air Force - Received 22 helicopters. All are operated by the 15° Stormo Stefano Cagna, part of the 9ª Brigata Aerea (Aerial Brigade).[citation needed] 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
- Tunisian Air Force - Operates a single HH-3E[citation needed]
[edit] Civil operators
- Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.
- San Bernardino County Sherrif's Department (CH-3C)
[edit] Specifications (HH-3E)
Data from Evergreen, [4] Global[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Capacity: 28 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
- Various equipment peculiar to the operating country.
- Door guns on some variants (For information on American equipment, see Main article: U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems)
[edit] See also
Related development
[edit] References
- ^ a b 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
- ^ a b c d e Sikorsky S-61R on avia.russian.ee
- ^ a b c 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
[edit] 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
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