Katana VentraIP

Westland Sea King

The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines (derived from the US General Electric T58), British-made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised flight control system. The Sea King was primarily designed for performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. A Sea King variant known as the Commando was developed by Westland to serve as a troop transport.

In British service, the Westland Sea King provided a wide range of services in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. As well as wartime roles in the Falklands War, the Gulf War, the Bosnian War, the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War, it was used as a Royal Navy Search and Rescue (red and grey livery) and RAF Search and Rescue Force (yellow livery) helicopter. The Sea King was also adapted to meet the Royal Navy's requirement for a ship-based airborne early warning platform.


On 26 September 2018, the last remaining Sea King variant in Royal Navy service was retired. Many operators have replaced, or are planning to replace, the Sea King with more modern helicopters, such as the NHIndustries NH90 and the AgustaWestland AW101. Germany retired the type in March 2024; however, it is still in widespread service around the globe, including India and several Middle Eastern countries.

Operators[edit]

Current operators[edit]

Egypt Egypt

N16-118 – Sea King Mk 50 on static display at the near Nowra.[150][151]

Fleet Air Arm Museum

Crew: 2-4

Length: 55 ft 10 in (17.02 m)

[168]

Height: 16 ft 10 in (5.13 m)

Empty weight: 14,051 lb (6,373 kg)

Gross weight: 21,000 lb (9,525 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 21,400 lb (9,707 kg)

Powerplant: 2 × turboshaft engines, 1,660 shp (1,240 kW) each

Rolls-Royce H.1400-2 Gnome

Main rotor diameter: 62 ft 0 in (18.90 m)

Main rotor area: 3,020 sq ft (281 m2)

Blade section: [169]

NACA 0012

Data from Omnifarious Sea King[167]


General characteristics


Performance


Armament

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King

Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King

Related development


Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era


Related lists

helis.com Section on the Westland Sea King

Royal Australian Navy Sea King

Sea King Mk7 Airborne Surveillance and Control

Royal Air Force Sea Kings