The Sea King was the mainstay of the US Navy's ASW
helicopter strength from the 1960s until the arrival of the Seahawk.
The type has been largely retired from US service now but continues
with a number of other nations. The first prototype flew in 1959
and the aircraft was a significant advance over other types available.
Two GE T58 turboshafts mounted above the spacious fuselage allowed
the carriage of bulky ASW gear including a dipping sonar and a search
radar. Initial service version was the SH-3A. The SH-3D had improved
sonar and radar and more powerful engines while the SH-3H was modified
for carrier operation and tasked with inner zone ASW, plane guard
and surface surveillance and targeting. Variants of the SH-3 include
the UH-3A utility transport, the VIP transport VH-3A/D and the SAR
HH.3A. The stretched S-61R was developed specially for the USAF
and designated CH-3C by the service. It featured a rear loading
ramp. The HH-3E variant gained fame in Vietnam as the "Jolly
Green Giant" rescuing downed aircrew. Mitsubishi of Japan,
Agusta of Italy and Westland of the UK all produced the Sea King
under licence while Canadian aircraft were assembled locally. Westland
Sea King variants are listed under Westland.