Sea King HAS.1

The Westland Sea King HAS.1 was the British license‑built version of the American Sikorsky S‑61, introduced in the early 1960s to replace the aging Royal Navy fleet of anti‑submarine helicopters. First flying in 1962 and entering service in 1969, the HAS.1 served with the Fleet Air Arm as a dedicated ASW platform, operating from aircraft carriers such as HMS Hermes and HMS Ark Royal. Powered by twin Rolls‑Royce Gnome turboshaft engines delivering 1,800 shaft‑horsepower each, the Sea King featured a spacious, amphibious fuselage with a boat‑hull lower deck, allowing it to land on water in emergencies. Its radar‑altimeter, dipping sonar, magnetic anomaly detector and the ability to carry torpedoes or depth charges gave it a formidable detection and attack capability against submarines during the Cold War. The aircraft’s robust design, twin‑engine safety and large payload made it versatile for secondary tasks, including search and rescue, transport and vertical‑replenishment. Over three decades the HAS.1 proved a cornerstone of British naval aviation, shaping ASW tactics and influencing later helicopter developments worldwide. It remained in front‑line service until 2005, after which many airframes were converted for civilian SAR roles, cementing the Sea King’s enduring reputation as a successful maritime helicopter built.

Westland Helicopters

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