Westland Sea King
Encyclopedia
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 (licence-built General Electric T58
s), British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised control system. The Westland Sea King was also produced as the Commando troop transport version for export.
, which had a long standing licence agreement
with Sikorsky
to allow it to build Sikorsky's helicopters, extended the agreement to cover Sikorsky Sea King soon after the Sea King's first flight in 1959. In 1966 the British Royal Navy
selected the Sea King to meet a requirement for an anti-submarine warfare
(ASW) helicopter to replace the Westland Wessex
, placing an order with Westland for 60 Sea Kings on 27 June 1966. The prototype and pre-production aircraft were constructed with Sikorsky-built components. The first Westland-built aircraft, the first production aircraft for the Royal Navy
, designated
the Sea King HAS1, first flew on the 7 May 1969 and was delivered to the navy in the same year.
By 1979, the Royal Navy had ordered 56 HAS1s and 21 HAS2s to meet the anti-submarine requirements, these were also outfitted for carrying out the secondary role of anti-ship
missions. Over 300 Westland Sea Kings were produced, the last to be built at Westland were Mk 43B SAR versions for the Royal Norwegian Air Force
. The last of the Royal Navy's Sea Kings in the ASW role was retired in 2003, being replaced by the AgustaWestland Merlin HM1. The Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) (formerly Airborne Early Warning) variant is expected to be replaced in time for the two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, some time in the 2010s. The types in contention are a Merlin derivative, a V-22 Osprey
variant or a derivative of the E-2C Hawkeye
. The UK is also expected to replace the HC4 and Search and Rescue
variants in the 2010s.
The basic ASW Sea King has been upgraded numerous times, becoming the HAS2, HAS5 and HAS6, the latter of which has been replaced by the AgustaWestland Merlin ASW helicopter. Surviving aircraft are having the mission equipment removed and the aircraft are being used in the utility role.
. A Commando variant, but retaining the folding blades and tail of the ASW variants, was designated the Sea King HC4 by the Royal Navy
and is still in service as an important asset for amphibious assaults
under the command of Commando Helicopter Force
. It is capable of transporting 27 fully equipped troops with a range of 400 miles (640 km). Current Royal Naval Air Squadrons that operate the Commando variant are 845 Naval Air Squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron and 848 Naval Air Squadron. The Sea King HC4 has been involved in operations in the Falklands, the Balkans, Gulf War I, Sierra Leone
, Lebanon, Gulf War II and Afghanistan.
Some of the HAS6 fleet were re-purposed, by removing the ASW equipment, as Royal Marine troop transports. These aircraft were retired in 2010.
A dedicated Search and Rescue version (Sea King HAR3) was developed for the RAF Search and Rescue Force
, the type entered service in 1978 to replace the Westland Whirlwind HAR.10. A sixteenth aircraft was ordered shortly after, and following the Falklands War
of 1982, three more aircraft were purchased to enable operation of a SAR flight in the islands, initially from Navy Point on the north side of Stanley harbour, and later from RAF Mount Pleasant. In 1992, six further aircraft were ordered to replace the last remaining Westland Wessex helicopters in the Search and Rescue role, entering service in 1996. The six (Sea King HAR3A) had updated systems including a digital navigation system and more modern avionics. Search and rescue versions of the Sea King were also produced for the Royal Norwegian Air Force
, the German Navy
and the Belgian Air Force
.
As of 2006, up to 12 HAR3/3A were dispersed across the UK, a further 2 HAR3 were attached to the Falkland Islands; providing 24 hour rescue coverage. Some Royal Navy HAS5 ASW variants were adapted for the Search and Rescue role and are currently in service with 771 Naval Air Squadron, Culdrose
and HMS Gannet SAR Flight
at Prestwick Airport in Scotland. They are expected to remain in service until 2018.
(AEW) capability had been lost when the Fairey Gannet
aeroplane was withdrawn after the last of the RN's fleet carriers, HMS Ark Royal
, was decommissioned in 1978. During the Falklands War
, a number of warships were lost, with casualties, due to the lack of an indigenous AEW presence. The proposed fleet cover by the RAF Shackleton
AEW.2 was too unresponsive and at too great a distance to be practical. Consequently, two Sea King HAS2s were modified in 1982 with the addition of the Thorn-EMI ARI 5930/3 Searchwater radar
, attached to the side of the fuselage on a swivel arm and protected by an inflatable dome. This allowed the helicopter to lower the radar below the fuselage in flight and to raise it for landing. These prototypes, designated Sea King HAS2(AEW), were both flying within 11 weeks and deployed with 824 "D" Flight on HMS Illustrious
, serving in the Falklands after the cessation of hostilities. A further seven HAS2s were modified to a production standard, known as the Sea King AEW2. These entered operational service in 1985, being deployed by 849 Naval Air Squadron. Four Sea King HAS5s were also later converted to AEW role as AEW5s, giving a total of thirteen AEW Sea Kings.
An upgrade programme, Project Cerberus, resulted in the Sea King AEW fleet being upgraded with a new mission system based around the improved Searchwater 2000AEW radar from 2002 onwards. This variant was initially referred to as the Sea King AEW7, but soon renamed ASaC7 (Airborne Surveillance and Control Mk.7). The main role of the Sea King ASaC7 is detection of low flying attack aircraft. It also provides interception/attack control and over-the-horizon targeting for surface launched weapon systems. In comparison to older versions, the new radar enables the ASaC7 to simultaneously track 400 targets instead of the earlier 250 targets.
The ASaC7s will remain in service until they are replaced under the Future Organic Airborne Early Warning (FOAEW) programme, which will operate from the UK's future Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier.
, performing mainly anti-submarine search and attack, and also replenishment, troop transport, and Special Forces
insertions into the occupied islands. On 23 April 1982, a Sea King HC4 was ditched while performing a risky transfer of supplies to a ship at night, operating from the flagship HMS Hermes
.
Another Sea King was lost on 12 May, again from ditching into the sea, due to a systems malfunction. All of the Sea King's crew were rescued. Five days later, a Sea King, again from Hermes, crashed into the sea due to an altimeter
problem; all crew were rescued.
On 17 May 1982 a Sea King HC4 landed at Punta Arenas, Chile
, and was subsequently destroyed by its crew. The three crew later gave themselves up to Chilean authorities. They were returned to the UK
and were given gallantry awards for the numerous dangerous missions that they had undertaken. The official story was that the crew had become lost, although it was widely speculated that the helicopter had actually been inserting Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers onto the Argentine mainland
.
On 19 May 1982, a Sea King had been transporting SAS troops to HMS Intrepid
from Hermes and was attempting to land on Intrepid. A thump was heard, and the Sea King dipped and crashed into the sea, killing 22 men. However, nine survived this accident, but only after jumping out of the Sea King just before the helicopter crashed. Bird feather
s were found in the debris of the crash, which suggested that this accident was the result of a bird strike
, though this theory is debated. The SAS lost 18 men in the crash, their highest number of casualties on one day since the Second World War
. The Royal Signals
lost one man and the RAF one man. The latter was the only RAF fatality of the campaign.
Sea Kings roles included air-sea rescue
, inter-ship transporting duties and transporting Royal Marines
onto suspect ships that refused to turn around during the enforced embargo
on Iraq
. In addition two Sea King Mk5s from 826 Naval Air Squadron had their ASW sonar equipment removed and were equipped with a system for hunting sea mines called "Demon Camera". Six Sea King Mk4 helicopters from 845 Naval Air Squadron and six from 848 Squadron (which had been reformed and recommissioned that December) were deployed independently of the fleet. They provided support for the 1st Armoured Division. Initially based near King Khalid Military City
, they followed the ground advance through Iraq into Kuwait.
's intervention in Bosnia
, with Sea Kings operated by 820 Naval Air Squadron and 845 Naval Air Squadron. The Sea Kings from 820 NAS were deployed from Royal Fleet Auxiliary
ships Fort Grange (since renamed Fort Rosalie
) and Olwen
. They provided logistical support, rather than the ASW role that the Squadron was geared towards, ferrying troops as well as supplies across the Adriatic Sea
. They performed over 1,400 deck landings, flying in excess of 1,900 hours. The Sea Kings from 845 NAS performed vital casualty evacuation and other tasks. Their aircraft were hit numerous times, though no casualties were incurred.
During NATO's intervention in Kosovo
, a British led operation, Sea Kings from 814 Naval Air Squadron
, operated aboard HMS Ocean
and RFA Argus
and also on destroyers and frigates. They provided search and rescue (SAR), as well as transporting troops and supplies.
During the 2003 invasion of Iraq
, Sea King ASaC7 from 849 NAS operated off the flagship of the Royal Navy Task Force HMS Ark Royal
. Sea King HC.4s also deployed from HMS Ocean
(operated by 845 Naval Air Squadron) landing the lead invasion forces on the Al-Faw Peninsula
, as well as Sea King HAS.6 from RFA Argus (operated by 820 Naval Air Squadron
).
On 22 March 2003, two AEW Sea Kings from 849 NAS operating from Ark Royal collided over the Persian Gulf
, killing six British and one American military personnel.
During the Gulf Wars the Sea Kings provided logistical support, transporting Royal Marines
from their off-shore bases on Ark Royal, Ocean and other ships on to land in Kuwait
.
were deployed to Cyprus to assist with the evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon. The UK mission was codenamed Operation Highbrow.
Australia bought 12 Westland Sea King Mk 50s in 1974, replacing the Westland Wessex HAS31
as the Royal Australian Navy
's Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopter. The aircraft were typically fitted with Racal ARI 5955/2 lightweight radar, Racal Navigation System RNS252, Racal Doppler 91, ADF Bendix/King KDF 806A and Tacan AN/ARN 118. All surviving Mk50 airframes were upgraded to Mk50A standard, through a mid-life extension. In 1995, the AQS-13B sonar was removed and since then, the Sea King's main role changed to maritime utility support.
One of the upgraded Sea Kings was lost in 2005.
Australia has purchased and cannibalised five former Egyptian aircraft that were stripped in the United Kingdom to be used for spare parts and, in 2005, three Royal Navy aircraft were also obtained for spare parts.
, announced, “The Sea Kings will be withdrawn from service in December 2011. ...having flown in excess of 60,000 hours in operations in Australia and overseas.” A sale by Request for Tender
was also announced, including:
He had previously announced that Sea King Shark 07 would be preserved at the Fleet Air Arm Museum
at , Nowra, New South Wales
.
The Fleet Air Arm's
Sea King fleet will be replaced earlier than was originally planned in response to the loss of a Sea King providing humanitarian aid in Indonesia in April 2005 due to mechanical failure. The crash resulted in the deaths of nine Australian military personnel. Australian Sea Kings played an integral part in the relief effort for the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, particularly in Indonesia's Aceh province where they delivered medical teams and aid supplies from Royal Australian Navy ships. The Australian Sea Kings will be replaced by the MRH 90
.
Sea King HAS.1
Sea King HAS.2
Sea King AEW.2
Sea King HAR.3
Sea King HAR.3A
Sea King HC.4 / Westland Commando
Sea King Mk.4X
Sea King HAS.5
Sea King HAR.5
Sea King AEW.5
Sea King HU.5
Sea King HAS.6
Sea King HAS.6(CR)
Sea King ASaC7
Sea King Mk.41
Sea King Mk.42
Sea King Mk.42A
Sea King Mk.42B
Sea King Mk.42C
Sea King Mk.43
Sea King Mk.43A
Sea King Mk.43B
Sea King Mk.45
Sea King Mk.45A
Sea King Mk.47
Sea King Mk.48
Sea King Mk.50
Sea King Mk.50A
Sea King Mk.50B
Commando Mk.1
Commando Mk.2
Commando Mk.2A
Commando Mk.2B
Commando Mk.2C
Commando Mk.2E
Commando Mk.3
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
licence-built version of the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Sikorsky S-61 helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters
Westland Helicopters
Westland Helicopters was a British aerospace company. Originally Westland Aircraft, the company focused on helicopters after the Second World War. It merged with several other British firms in 1961...
. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome
Rolls-Royce Gnome
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:*...
engines (licence-built General Electric T58
General Electric T58
|-See also:-References:* and...
s), British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised control system. The Westland Sea King was also produced as the Commando troop transport version for export.
Origins
Westland HelicoptersWestland Helicopters
Westland Helicopters was a British aerospace company. Originally Westland Aircraft, the company focused on helicopters after the Second World War. It merged with several other British firms in 1961...
, which had a long standing licence agreement
Licence-built
The term licence-built refers to an object manufactured by one organisation with the authorisation of the organisation that owns the intellectual property of the design...
with Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
to allow it to build Sikorsky's helicopters, extended the agreement to cover Sikorsky Sea King soon after the Sea King's first flight in 1959. In 1966 the British Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
selected the Sea King to meet a requirement for an anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
(ASW) helicopter to replace the Westland Wessex
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
, placing an order with Westland for 60 Sea Kings on 27 June 1966. The prototype and pre-production aircraft were constructed with Sikorsky-built components. The first Westland-built aircraft, the first production aircraft for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, designated
British military aircraft designation systems
British military aircraft designations are used to refer to aircraft types and variants operated by the armed forces of the United Kingdom.Since the end of the First World War, aircraft types in British military service have generally been known by a name British military aircraft designations are...
the Sea King HAS1, first flew on the 7 May 1969 and was delivered to the navy in the same year.
By 1979, the Royal Navy had ordered 56 HAS1s and 21 HAS2s to meet the anti-submarine requirements, these were also outfitted for carrying out the secondary role of anti-ship
Anti-Surface Warfare
Anti-surface warfare is a type of naval warfare directed against surface combatants. More generally, it is any weapons, sensors, or operations intended to attack or limit the effectiveness of an adversary's surface ships....
missions. Over 300 Westland Sea Kings were produced, the last to be built at Westland were Mk 43B SAR versions for the Royal Norwegian Air Force
Royal Norwegian Air Force
The Royal Norwegian Air Force is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees . 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF...
. The last of the Royal Navy's Sea Kings in the ASW role was retired in 2003, being replaced by the AgustaWestland Merlin HM1. The Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) (formerly Airborne Early Warning) variant is expected to be replaced in time for the two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, some time in the 2010s. The types in contention are a Merlin derivative, a V-22 Osprey
V-22 Osprey
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing , and short takeoff and landing capability...
variant or a derivative of the E-2C Hawkeye
E-2 Hawkeye
The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the...
. The UK is also expected to replace the HC4 and Search and Rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
variants in the 2010s.
The basic ASW Sea King has been upgraded numerous times, becoming the HAS2, HAS5 and HAS6, the latter of which has been replaced by the AgustaWestland Merlin ASW helicopter. Surviving aircraft are having the mission equipment removed and the aircraft are being used in the utility role.
Troop transport
A troop carrying version marketed as the Commando was developed for the Egyptian Air ForceEgyptian Air Force
The Egyptian Air Force, or EAF , is the aviation branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces. The EAF is headed by an Air Marshal . Currently, the commander of the Egyptian Air Force is Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed...
. A Commando variant, but retaining the folding blades and tail of the ASW variants, was designated the Sea King HC4 by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and is still in service as an important asset for amphibious assaults
Amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
under the command of Commando Helicopter Force
Commando Helicopter Force
The Commando Helicopter Force is a part of the Fleet Air Arm, and is an element of the Joint Helicopter Command of the British Armed Forces; which provides Rotary-Wing support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other elements...
. It is capable of transporting 27 fully equipped troops with a range of 400 miles (640 km). Current Royal Naval Air Squadrons that operate the Commando variant are 845 Naval Air Squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron and 848 Naval Air Squadron. The Sea King HC4 has been involved in operations in the Falklands, the Balkans, Gulf War I, Sierra Leone
Operation Palliser
Operation Palliser was a British Armed forces operation in Sierra Leone in 2000 under the command of Brigadier David Richards.Initially, its scope was limited to evacuation of non-combatants only....
, Lebanon, Gulf War II and Afghanistan.
Some of the HAS6 fleet were re-purposed, by removing the ASW equipment, as Royal Marine troop transports. These aircraft were retired in 2010.
Search and rescue
RAF Search and Rescue Force
The RAF Search and Rescue Force is the Royal Air Force organisation which provides around-the-clock aeronautical search and rescue cover in the United Kingdom, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands.-History:...
, the type entered service in 1978 to replace the Westland Whirlwind HAR.10. A sixteenth aircraft was ordered shortly after, and following the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
of 1982, three more aircraft were purchased to enable operation of a SAR flight in the islands, initially from Navy Point on the north side of Stanley harbour, and later from RAF Mount Pleasant. In 1992, six further aircraft were ordered to replace the last remaining Westland Wessex helicopters in the Search and Rescue role, entering service in 1996. The six (Sea King HAR3A) had updated systems including a digital navigation system and more modern avionics. Search and rescue versions of the Sea King were also produced for the Royal Norwegian Air Force
Royal Norwegian Air Force
The Royal Norwegian Air Force is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees . 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF...
, the German Navy
German Navy
The German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...
and the Belgian Air Force
Belgian Air Force
The Air Component, formerly the Belgian Air Force, is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally founded in 1909, it is one of the world's first air forces, and was a pioneer in aerial combat during the First World War...
.
As of 2006, up to 12 HAR3/3A were dispersed across the UK, a further 2 HAR3 were attached to the Falkland Islands; providing 24 hour rescue coverage. Some Royal Navy HAS5 ASW variants were adapted for the Search and Rescue role and are currently in service with 771 Naval Air Squadron, Culdrose
RNAS Culdrose
Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose , based in Cornwall, near Helston, on the Lizard Peninsula, has three major roles: serving the Fleet Air Arm's front line Sea King and Merlin helicopter squadrons; providing search and rescue for the South West region; and training specialists for the Royal Navy...
and HMS Gannet SAR Flight
HMS Gannet SAR Flight
HMS Gannet SAR Flight is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron based at RNAS Prestwick in Scotland. It operates three Sea King Mk5 helicopters in the military and civilian Search and Rescue role across Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland...
at Prestwick Airport in Scotland. They are expected to remain in service until 2018.
Airborne early warning
The Royal Navy airborne early warningAirborne Early Warning
An airborne early warning and control system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft at long ranges and control and command the battle space in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack plane strikes...
(AEW) capability had been lost when the Fairey Gannet
Fairey Gannet
The Fairey Gannet was a British carrier-borne anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning aircraft of the post-Second World War era developed for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm by the Fairey Aviation Company...
aeroplane was withdrawn after the last of the RN's fleet carriers, HMS Ark Royal
HMS Ark Royal (R09)
HMS Ark Royal was an Audacious-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy and, when she was decommissioned in 1978, was the Royal Navy's last remaining conventional catapult and arrested-landing aircraft carrier...
, was decommissioned in 1978. During the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
, a number of warships were lost, with casualties, due to the lack of an indigenous AEW presence. The proposed fleet cover by the RAF Shackleton
Avro Shackleton
The Avro Shackleton was a British long-range maritime patrol aircraft for use by the Royal Air Force. It was developed by Avro from the Avro Lincoln bomber with a new fuselage...
AEW.2 was too unresponsive and at too great a distance to be practical. Consequently, two Sea King HAS2s were modified in 1982 with the addition of the Thorn-EMI ARI 5930/3 Searchwater radar
Searchwater radar
Searchwater radar is a maritime surveillance radar developed by Thorn-EMI under project P1149. This type of radar has been in service with the Royal Air Force Hawker Siddeley Nimrod aboard the MR2 variant since the 1970s....
, attached to the side of the fuselage on a swivel arm and protected by an inflatable dome. This allowed the helicopter to lower the radar below the fuselage in flight and to raise it for landing. These prototypes, designated Sea King HAS2(AEW), were both flying within 11 weeks and deployed with 824 "D" Flight on HMS Illustrious
HMS Illustrious (R06)
HMS Illustrious is the second of three Invincible-class light aircraft carriers built for the Royal Navy in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She is the fifth warship and second aircraft carrier to bear the name Illustrious, and is affectionately known as "Lusty" to her crew...
, serving in the Falklands after the cessation of hostilities. A further seven HAS2s were modified to a production standard, known as the Sea King AEW2. These entered operational service in 1985, being deployed by 849 Naval Air Squadron. Four Sea King HAS5s were also later converted to AEW role as AEW5s, giving a total of thirteen AEW Sea Kings.
An upgrade programme, Project Cerberus, resulted in the Sea King AEW fleet being upgraded with a new mission system based around the improved Searchwater 2000AEW radar from 2002 onwards. This variant was initially referred to as the Sea King AEW7, but soon renamed ASaC7 (Airborne Surveillance and Control Mk.7). The main role of the Sea King ASaC7 is detection of low flying attack aircraft. It also provides interception/attack control and over-the-horizon targeting for surface launched weapon systems. In comparison to older versions, the new radar enables the ASaC7 to simultaneously track 400 targets instead of the earlier 250 targets.
The ASaC7s will remain in service until they are replaced under the Future Organic Airborne Early Warning (FOAEW) programme, which will operate from the UK's future Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier.
Falklands War
The Sea King was deployed during the Falklands WarFalklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
, performing mainly anti-submarine search and attack, and also replenishment, troop transport, and Special Forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
insertions into the occupied islands. On 23 April 1982, a Sea King HC4 was ditched while performing a risky transfer of supplies to a ship at night, operating from the flagship HMS Hermes
HMS Hermes (R12)
HMS Hermes was a Centaur-class British aircraft carrier, the last of the postwar conventional aircraft carriers commissioned into the Royal Navy.-Construction and modifications:...
.
Another Sea King was lost on 12 May, again from ditching into the sea, due to a systems malfunction. All of the Sea King's crew were rescued. Five days later, a Sea King, again from Hermes, crashed into the sea due to an altimeter
Altimeter
An altimeter is an instrument used to measure the altitude of an object above a fixed level. The measurement of altitude is called altimetry, which is related to the term bathymetry, the measurement of depth underwater.-Pressure altimeter:...
problem; all crew were rescued.
On 17 May 1982 a Sea King HC4 landed at Punta Arenas, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, and was subsequently destroyed by its crew. The three crew later gave themselves up to Chilean authorities. They were returned to the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and were given gallantry awards for the numerous dangerous missions that they had undertaken. The official story was that the crew had become lost, although it was widely speculated that the helicopter had actually been inserting Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers onto the Argentine mainland
Operation Mikado
Operation Mikado was the code name of a military plan by the United Kingdom to use Special Air Service troops to attack the home base of Argentina's five Etendard strike fighters at Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego during the 1982 Falklands War....
.
On 19 May 1982, a Sea King had been transporting SAS troops to HMS Intrepid
HMS Intrepid (L11)
HMS Intrepid was one of two Fearless class amphibious warfare ships of the Royal Navy. A Landing Platform Dock , she served from 1967 until 1999...
from Hermes and was attempting to land on Intrepid. A thump was heard, and the Sea King dipped and crashed into the sea, killing 22 men. However, nine survived this accident, but only after jumping out of the Sea King just before the helicopter crashed. Bird feather
Feather
Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on birds and some non-avian theropod dinosaurs. They are considered the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates, and indeed a premier example of a complex evolutionary novelty. They...
s were found in the debris of the crash, which suggested that this accident was the result of a bird strike
Bird strike
A bird strike—sometimes called birdstrike, avian ingestion , bird hit, or BASH —is a collision between an airborne animal and a man-made vehicle, especially aircraft...
, though this theory is debated. The SAS lost 18 men in the crash, their highest number of casualties on one day since the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The Royal Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
The Royal Corps of Signals is one of the combat support arms of the British Army...
lost one man and the RAF one man. The latter was the only RAF fatality of the campaign.
Gulf War I
During the 1991 Gulf WarGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
Sea Kings roles included air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue is the coordinated search and rescue of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their sea-going vessel. ASR can involve a wide variety of resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats and ships...
, inter-ship transporting duties and transporting Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
onto suspect ships that refused to turn around during the enforced embargo
Embargo
An embargo is the partial or complete prohibition of commerce and trade with a particular country, in order to isolate it. Embargoes are considered strong diplomatic measures imposed in an effort, by the imposing country, to elicit a given national-interest result from the country on which it is...
on Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. In addition two Sea King Mk5s from 826 Naval Air Squadron had their ASW sonar equipment removed and were equipped with a system for hunting sea mines called "Demon Camera". Six Sea King Mk4 helicopters from 845 Naval Air Squadron and six from 848 Squadron (which had been reformed and recommissioned that December) were deployed independently of the fleet. They provided support for the 1st Armoured Division. Initially based near King Khalid Military City
King Khalid Military City
King Khalid Military City is a special city in northeastern Saudi Arabia and about 60 km south to Hafar Al-Batin City, designed and built by the Middle East Division, a unit of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in the 1970s and 1980s. The consultants were Brown, Daltas, and Associates in...
, they followed the ground advance through Iraq into Kuwait.
Balkans
The Sea King participated in the UNUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
's intervention in Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, with Sea Kings operated by 820 Naval Air Squadron and 845 Naval Air Squadron. The Sea Kings from 820 NAS were deployed from Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
ships Fort Grange (since renamed Fort Rosalie
RFA Fort Rosalie
Two ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have borne the name RFA Fort Rosalie:* RFA Fort Rosalie was a stores ship launched in 1944 and scrapped in 1973...
) and Olwen
RFA Olwen (A122)
RFA Olwen was an Ol-class "fast fleet tanker" of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.The lead ship of her class, and launched in 1964 as RFA Olynthus, the second ship to bear this name, she was renamed Olwen in 1967 to avoid confusion with HMS Olympus...
. They provided logistical support, rather than the ASW role that the Squadron was geared towards, ferrying troops as well as supplies across the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
. They performed over 1,400 deck landings, flying in excess of 1,900 hours. The Sea Kings from 845 NAS performed vital casualty evacuation and other tasks. Their aircraft were hit numerous times, though no casualties were incurred.
During NATO's intervention in Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, a British led operation, Sea Kings from 814 Naval Air Squadron
814 Naval Air Squadron
814 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It was formed in December 1938 and has been disbanded and reformed several times. Its nickname is "the Flying Tigers", not to be confused with the American Volunteer squadron of WWII....
, operated aboard HMS Ocean
HMS Ocean (L12)
HMS Ocean of the Royal Navy is an amphibious assault ship , the sole member of her class. She is designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff of Commander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force...
and RFA Argus
RFA Argus (A135)
RFA Argus is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, part of the Royal Navy. Italian-built, Argus was formerly the container ship MV Contender Bezant. The ship was requisitioned in 1982 for service in the Falklands War and purchased outright in 1984 for use as an Aviation Training Ship, replacing RFA...
and also on destroyers and frigates. They provided search and rescue (SAR), as well as transporting troops and supplies.
Gulf War II
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
, Sea King ASaC7 from 849 NAS operated off the flagship of the Royal Navy Task Force HMS Ark Royal
HMS Ark Royal (R07)
HMS Ark Royal is a decommissioned light aircraft carrier and former flagship of the Royal Navy. She was the third and final vessel of Invincible-class...
. Sea King HC.4s also deployed from HMS Ocean
HMS Ocean (L12)
HMS Ocean of the Royal Navy is an amphibious assault ship , the sole member of her class. She is designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff of Commander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force...
(operated by 845 Naval Air Squadron) landing the lead invasion forces on the Al-Faw Peninsula
Al-Faw Peninsula
The Faw peninsula is a marshy region adjoining the Persian Gulf in the extreme south-east of Iraq, between and to the south-east of the cities of Basra and Abadan ....
, as well as Sea King HAS.6 from RFA Argus (operated by 820 Naval Air Squadron
820 Naval Air Squadron
820 Naval Air Squadron is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier based squadron formed in April 1933 with the transferral of the Fairey III aircraft from 405 Flight Royal Air Force to the Fleet Air Arm...
).
On 22 March 2003, two AEW Sea Kings from 849 NAS operating from Ark Royal collided over the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, killing six British and one American military personnel.
During the Gulf Wars the Sea Kings provided logistical support, transporting Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
from their off-shore bases on Ark Royal, Ocean and other ships on to land in Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
.
Lebanon
In July 2006, Sea King HC.4 helicopters from RNAS YeoviltonRNAS Yeovilton
Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, or RNAS Yeovilton, is an airfield of the Royal Navy, sited in South West England a few miles north of Yeovil in Somerset...
were deployed to Cyprus to assist with the evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon. The UK mission was codenamed Operation Highbrow.
Australia
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
as the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
's Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopter. The aircraft were typically fitted with Racal ARI 5955/2 lightweight radar, Racal Navigation System RNS252, Racal Doppler 91, ADF Bendix/King KDF 806A and Tacan AN/ARN 118. All surviving Mk50 airframes were upgraded to Mk50A standard, through a mid-life extension. In 1995, the AQS-13B sonar was removed and since then, the Sea King's main role changed to maritime utility support.
Losses and replacements
During the first five years of operation, a number of aircraft were lost due primarily to a loss of main gearbox oil. Six Sea Kings were lost in accidents before 1995-6 when the remaining six were upgraded to Mk 50A standard. Additionally, a former Royal Navy HAS5 was acquired in 1996 and designated as a Mk 50B.One of the upgraded Sea Kings was lost in 2005.
Australia has purchased and cannibalised five former Egyptian aircraft that were stripped in the United Kingdom to be used for spare parts and, in 2005, three Royal Navy aircraft were also obtained for spare parts.
End of service
On 1 September 2011, the Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason ClareJason Clare
Jason Dean Clare is the Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives for the seat of Blaxland in the western suburbs of Sydney. He won election in the 2007 Australian federal election....
, announced, “The Sea Kings will be withdrawn from service in December 2011. ...having flown in excess of 60,000 hours in operations in Australia and overseas.” A sale by Request for Tender
Request for tender
A request for tender, commonly abbreviated to RFT, is a formal, structured invitation to suppliers for the supply of products or services. In the public sector, such a process may be required and determined in detail by law to ensure that such competition for the use of public money is open, fair...
was also announced, including:
- five complete helicopters;
- three airframes;
- a simulator; and
- associated unique equipment and parts.
He had previously announced that Sea King Shark 07 would be preserved at the Fleet Air Arm Museum
Fleet Air Arm Museum (Australia)
The Australian Fleet Air Arm Museum, formerly known as Australia's Museum of Flight, is a military aerospace museum located at the naval air station , near Nowra, New South Wales. The museum was opened in 1990, although efforts to preserve artifacts related to Australia's naval aviation history...
at , Nowra, New South Wales
Nowra, New South Wales
Nowra is a city in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. Located SSW and approximately by road south of the state capital of Sydney, it has an estimated population together with its twin-town of Bomaderry of 34,479. It is also the seat and commercial centre of the City of Shoalhaven...
.
The Fleet Air Arm's
Fleet Air Arm (RAN)
The Fleet Air Arm , known formally as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy...
Sea King fleet will be replaced earlier than was originally planned in response to the loss of a Sea King providing humanitarian aid in Indonesia in April 2005 due to mechanical failure. The crash resulted in the deaths of nine Australian military personnel. Australian Sea Kings played an integral part in the relief effort for the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, particularly in Indonesia's Aceh province where they delivered medical teams and aid supplies from Royal Australian Navy ships. The Australian Sea Kings will be replaced by the MRH 90
NHI NH90
The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
.
Variants
- The first anti-submarine version for the Royal Navy. The Westland Sea King first flew in 1969.
Sea King HAS.2
- Upgraded anti-submarine version for the Royal Navy. Some were later converted for AEW (Airborne Early Warning) duties.
Sea King AEW.2
- Nine Sea King HAS.2s were converted into AEW aircraft, after lack of AEW cover was revealed during the Falklands WarFalklands WarThe Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
.
Sea King HAR.3
- Search and rescue version for the Royal Air Force.
Sea King HAR.3A
- Upgraded search and rescue version of the Sea King HAR.3 for the Royal Air Force.
Sea King HC.4 / Westland Commando
- Commando assault and utility transport version for the Royal Navy. Capable of transporting 28 fully equipped troops.
Sea King Mk.4X
- Two helicopters for trials at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough.
Sea King HAS.5
- Upgraded anti-submarine warfare version for the Royal Navy, some later converted into the HAR.5 for Search and Rescue.
Sea King HAR.5
- Search and rescue version for the Royal Navy.
Sea King AEW.5
- Four Sea King HAS.5s were converted into AEW helicopters for the Royal Navy.
Sea King HU.5
- Surplus HAS.5 ASW helicopters converted into utility role for the Royal Navy.
Sea King HAS.6
- Upgraded Anti-submarine warfare version for the Royal Navy.
Sea King HAS.6(CR)
- Five surplus HAS.6 ASW helicopters converted into the utility role for the Royal Navy. The last of the Royal Navy's HAS.6(CR) helicopters was retired from service with 846 NAS on 31 March 2010.
Sea King ASaC7
- Upgraded AEW2/5 for the Royal Navy with Searchwater 2000AEW replacing original Searchwater radar.
Sea King Mk.41
- Search and rescue version of the Sea King HAS.1 for the German NavyGerman NavyThe German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...
, with longer cabin; 23 built, delivered between 1973 and 1975. A total of 20 were upgraded from 1986 onwards with additional Ferranti Seaspray radar in nose and capability to carry four Sea SkuaSea SkuaThe Sea Skua is a British lightweight short-range air-to-surface missile designed for use from helicopters against ships. It is primarily used by the Royal Navy on the Westland Lynx helicopter, although Kuwait uses it in a shore battery and on their Umm Al Maradem fast attack craft.The British...
Anti-ship missileAnti-ship missileAnti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
s.
Sea King Mk.42
- Anti-submarine warfare version of the Sea King HAS.1 for the Indian Navy; 12 built.
Sea King Mk.42A
- Anti-submarine warfare version of the Sea King HAS.2 for the Indian Navy, fitted with haul-down system for operating from small ships; three built.
Sea King Mk.42B
- Multi-purpose version for the Indian Navy, equipped for anti-submarine warfare, with dipping sonar and advanced avionics, and anti-shipping operations, with two Sea EagleSea EagleSea eagle mainly refers to Sea eagle, birds of prey of the genus Haliaeetus.It may also refer to:-Aerospace:* Sea Eagle , British, anti-ship missile* Sea Eagle * Supermarine Sea Eagle, 1920s British passenger flying boat-Sports:...
missiles; 21 built (one crashing before delivery).
Sea King Mk.42C
- Search and rescue/utility transport version for the Indian Navy with nose mounted Bendix search radar; six built.
Sea King Mk.43
- Search and rescue version of the Sea King HAS.1 for the Royal Norwegian Air Force, with lengthened cabin; 10 built.
Sea King Mk.43A
- Uprated version of the Sea King Mk.43 for the Royal Norwegian Air Force, with airframe of Mk.2 but engines of Mk.1. Single example built.
Sea King Mk.43B
- Upgraded version of the Sea King Mk.43 for the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Upgraded avionics, including MEL Sea Searcher radar in large dorsal radome, weather radar in nose and FLIR turret under nose. Three new-build plus upgrade of remaining Mk.43 and Mk.43A helicopters.
Sea King Mk.45
- Anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare version of the Sea King HAS.1 for the Pakistan Navy. Provision for carrying ExocetExocetThe Exocet is a French-built anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface vessels, submarines, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Hundreds were fired in combat during the 1980s.-Etymology:...
anti-ship missile; six built.
Sea King Mk.45A
- One ex-Royal Navy Sea King HAS.5 helicopter was sold to Pakistan as an attrition replacement.
Sea King Mk.47
- Anti-submarine version of the Sea King HAS.2 for the Egyptian Navy; six built.
Sea King Mk.48
- Search and rescue version for the Belgian Air Force. Airframe similar to HAS.2 but with extended cabin; five built, delivered 1976.
Sea King Mk.50
- Multi-role version for the Royal Australian Navy, equivalent to (but preceding) HAS.2; 10 built.
Sea King Mk.50A
- Two improved Sea Kings were sold to the Royal Australian Navy as part of a follow-on order in 1981.
Sea King Mk.50B
- Upgraded multi-role version for the Royal Australian Navy.
Commando Mk.1
- Minimum change assault and utility transport version for the Egyptian Air Force, with lengthened cabin but retaining sponsons with floation gear. Five built.
- Improved assault and utility transport version for the Egyptian Air Force, fitted with more powerful engines, non-folding rotors and omitting undercarriage sponsons and floatation gear; 17 built.
Commando Mk.2A
- Assault and utility transport version for the Qatar Emiri Air Force, almost identical to Egyptian Mk.2; three built.
Commando Mk.2B
- VIP transport version of Commando Mk.2 for the Egyptian Air Force; two built.
Commando Mk.2C
- VIP transport version of Commando Mk.2A for the Qatar Emiri Air Force; one built.
Commando Mk.2E
- Electronic warfare version for the Egyptian Air Force, fitted with integrated ESM and jamming system, with radomes on side of fuselage; four built.
Commando Mk.3
- Anti-ship warfare version for the Qatar Emiri Air Force, fitted with dorsal radome and capable of carrying two Exocet missiles.
Operators
- Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
- Fleet Air Arm (RAN)Fleet Air Arm (RAN)The Fleet Air Arm , known formally as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy...
- 817 Squadron RAN817 Squadron RAN817 Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron.-Current Roles:817 is currently active as a helicopter squadron equipped with Westland Sea King Mk 50 helicopters. 817 Squadron is a land based squadron operating the Sea King helicopter in Fleet Utility Support roles, including Search...
- 817 Squadron RAN
- Belgian Air Component
- Egyptian Air ForceEgyptian Air ForceThe Egyptian Air Force, or EAF , is the aviation branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces. The EAF is headed by an Air Marshal . Currently, the commander of the Egyptian Air Force is Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed...
- Egyptian Navy
- German NavyGerman NavyThe German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...
- Indian NavyIndian NavyThe Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
- Indian Naval Air ArmIndian Naval Air ArmThe Indian Naval Air Arm is part of the Indian Navy which is tasked to provide an aircraft carrier based strike capability, fleet air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare. To undertake these tasks, the Indian Navy employs an aircraft carrier and a variety of manned and...
- Royal Norwegian Air ForceRoyal Norwegian Air ForceThe Royal Norwegian Air Force is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees . 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF...
- 330 Squadron (SAR).
- Pakistan NavyPakistan NavyThe Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
- Pakistan Naval Air ArmPakistan Naval Air ArmThe Pakistan Naval Air Arm is the naval aviation branch of the Pakistan Navy.The Naval Air Arm is tasked to carry out air surveillance, limited aerial warfare, and reconnaissance operations...
- Qatar Emiri Air ForceMilitary of QatarThe Qatar Armed Forces are the military forces of Qatar. The country maintains a modest military force of approximately 11,800 men, including an army , navy and air force . Qatar's defense expenditures accounted for approximately 4.2% of gross national product in 1993...
- Military of Sierra LeoneMilitary of Sierra LeoneThe Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces is the armed forces of Sierra Leone, responsible for the territorial security of Sierra Leone's border and defending the national interests of Sierra Leone, within the framework of its international obligations...
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
- No. 22 Squadron RAFNo. 22 Squadron RAFNo. 22 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Sea King HAR.3 and HAR.3A at three stations in the southern United Kingdom. The squadron was originally formed in 1915 as an aerial reconnaissance unit of the Royal Flying Corps serving on the Western Front during First World War...
- No. 202 Squadron RAFNo. 202 Squadron RAFNo. 202 Squadron of the Royal Air Force presently operates the Sea King HAR.3 in the Search and rescue role at three stations in the northern half of the United Kingdom. It was originally formed as one of the first aeroplane squadrons of the RNAS before it became part of the RAF.-Formation and...
- No. 203(R) Squadron RAFNo. 203 Squadron RAFNo. 203 Squadron RAF was originally formed as No. 3 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service. It was renumbered No. 203 when the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 April 1918.-First World War:...
- No. 1564 Flight RAFNo. 1564 Flight RAF-1564 Flight in World War II:No. 1564 Flight was first formed at RAF Mellaha, near Tripoli, Libya, on 1 February 1943, flying Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires, and was disbanded at Istres, France on 15 June 1946....
- No. 22 Squadron RAF
- Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
- Fleet Air ArmFleet Air ArmThe Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
- 771 Naval Air Squadron
- 845 Naval Air Squadron
- 846 Naval Air Squadron
- 848 Naval Air Squadron
- 849 Naval Air Squadron
- 854 Naval Air Squadron854 Naval Air Squadron854 Naval Air Squadron was first formed on 1 January 1944, at Squantum Naval Air Station in the USA. It was later disbanded in December 1945. It was reformed December 2006 as a helicopter squadron designed for Airborne Surveillance and Control.- History :...
- 857 Naval Air Squadron857 Naval Air Squadron857 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It was first formed on 1 April 1944 at Squantum NAS in the USA as a Torpedo Reconnaissance unit with Avenger IIs. It reformed in its present state on 13 December 2006, when 849 NAS B Flight recommissioned as 857 Naval Air Squadron...
- HMS Gannet SAR FlightHMS Gannet SAR FlightHMS Gannet SAR Flight is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron based at RNAS Prestwick in Scotland. It operates three Sea King Mk5 helicopters in the military and civilian Search and Rescue role across Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland...
- Royal Aircraft EstablishmentRoyal Aircraft EstablishmentThe Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...