Sikorsky S-61R - Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by TravisAF (talk | contribs) at 00:30, 17 April 2009 (clean up, typos fixed: world-wide → worldwide using AWB). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 00:30, 17 April 2009 by TravisAF (talk | contribs) (clean up, typos fixed: world-wide → worldwide using AWB)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

S-61R/CH-3C/E HH-3E Jolly Green Giant HH-3F "Pelican"

US Coast Guard HH-3F Pelican
Role	Medium-lift transport/SAR helicopterType of aircraft
Manufacturer	Sikorsky Agusta
First 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".

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. During its development, the US Air Force placed an order for the aircraft, which was designated CH-3C. The Air Force used the CH-3C to recover downed pilots. The CH-3E variant with more powerful engines would follow in 1965.

A USAF HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter flies over Canada.

The improved HH-3E variant would follow later, with eight built, and all CH-3Es converted to this standard. 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.

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. The Pelican featured a search radar with a nose antenna radome offset to port, and water landing capability.

Italian Agusta built a S-61R variant, named AS-61R under license. Agusta produced 22 helicopters for the Italian Air Force. The company claims it could re-open the production line in 36 months to build additional AS-61 helicopters.

Operational service

United States

USAF variants served in numerous air rescue squadrons and aerospace rescue and recovery squadrons of the Military Airlift Command (MAC), rescue squadrons of the Air Combat Command (ACC) and other USAF major commands worldwide. 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.

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 Operations 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

CH-3E s/n 63-9691 of the San Bernardino County Sherrif's Department at Rialto, California

Military operators

Argentina

Argentine Navy received two S-61Rs

Italy

Italian Air Force received 22 helicopters. All are operated by the 15° Stormo Stefano Cagna. 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

Tunisia

Tunisian Air Force operates a single HH-3E

United States

Civil operators

United States

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.
San Bernardino County Sherrif's Department (CH-3C)

Specifications (HH-3E)

Data from Evergreen, Globalsecurity

General characteristics

Crew: 3
Capacity: 28 passengersRotor system: 5 blades

Performance

Fuel: 683 US gal (2,585 L)

Armament

Various equipment particular to the operating country.
Door guns on some variants (For information on American equipment, see Main article: U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems)

References

^ 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
^ Sikorsky S-61R, avia.russian.ee
^ Chant, Christopher (1996). Fighting Helicopters of the 20th Century. Twickenham, UK: Tiger Books International PLC. ISBN 1-85501-808-X. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
EvergreenAviation.com S-61R specs
HH-3 specifications. GlobalSecurity.org

External links

v t e Sikorsky aircraft
Fixed-wing aircraft (company designations)	S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 S-8 S-9 S-10 S-11 S-12 S-13 S-14 S-15 S-16 S-17 S-18 S-19 S-20 S-21 S-22/23/24/25/26/27 S-28 S-29-A S-30 S-31 S-32 S-33 S-34 S-35 S-36 S-37 S-38 S-39 S-40 S-41 S-42 S-43 VS-44 S-45
Fixed-wing aircraft (military designations)	C-6 C-28 JRS JR2S PS P2S RS XBLR-3 XPBS XSS XV-2
Helicopters (company designations)	VS-300 (S-46) S-47 S-48 S-49 S-50 S-51 S-52 S-53 S-54 S-55 S-56 S-57 S-58 S-59 S-60 S-61 S-61L/N S-61R S-62 S-63 S-64 S-65 S-66 S-67 S-68 S-69 S-70 S-71 S-72 S-73 S-74 S-75 S-76 S-80 S-92 S-95 S-97 S-100 S-102 S-103 S-300 S-333 S-434
Helicopters (military designations)	SH-3 Sea King HH-3E/F R-4 H-5 H-6 H-18 H-19 Chickasaw H-34 Choctaw CH-37 Mojave XH-39 HH-52A Seaguard CH-53 Sea Stallion CH-53E Super Stallion CH-53K King Stallion MH-53 CH-54 Tarhe UH-60 Black Hawk HH-60G Pave Hawk HH-60J/MH-60T MH-60R/S Seahawk SH-60B/F Seahawk H-60J/K VH-60 RAH-66 Comanche VH-92 Patriot CH-124 Sea King CH-148 Cyclone HLH
Experimental aircraft	Cypher/Cypher II Firefly Raider Raider X SB-1 X2 XBLR-3 XV-2

v t e Aviation lists
General	Aircraft manufacturers civil Aircraft engines manufacturers Flight test centres‎ Test pilot schools Airlines Defunct airlines Helicopter airlines Airports Aerobatic teams Civil Aviation Authorities Gliders Museums Registration prefixes Jet airliners Rotorcraft manufacturers Timeline
Military	Air forces Experimental Missiles UAVs Weapons
Accidents / incidents	Commercial airliners by location Fatalities by death toll General aviation Military By registration
Records	Airspeed Altitude Distance Endurance Firsts Large Most-produced aircraft Most-produced rotorcraft

Categories: