Sea King

The Sikorsky S‑61/SH‑3 Sea King is a twin‑engine, amphibious helicopter that entered service in 1962 and quickly became one of the most versatile naval aircraft in the world. Designed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to meet the United States Navy’s requirement for an anti‑submarine warfare (ASW) platform, the Sea King featured a robust airframe, a de‑icing rotor system, and a watertight hull that allowed it to land on both ship decks and open water. Powered by two General Electric T58 turboshaft engines, it could carry up to 24 troops, medevac patients, or an external payload of up to 4,000 lb. Its spacious cabin accommodated sonar equipment, radar, magnetic anomaly detectors, and weapons such as torpedoes and depth charges, making it a cornerstone of Cold‑War maritime patrol. Over the ensuing decades the airframe was adapted for search‑and‑rescue, transport, and VIP roles, serving more than 20 nations and logging millions of flight hours. The Sea King’s reliability, lift capacity, and amphibious capability set new standards for helicopter design, influencing later models like the SH‑60 Seahawk and cementing Sikorsky’s reputation as a leader in rotary‑wing innovation. Its legacy endures throughout modern history.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

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