Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King
| CH-124 Sea King | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| A Canadian Forces CH-124 Sea King | |
| Role | ASW / utility helicopter |
| National origin | United States / Canada |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
| Built by | United Aircraft of Canada |
| Introduction | 1963 |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary users |
Canadian Forces Royal Canadian Navy Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Number built | 41 |
| Developed from | SH-3 Sea King |
The Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter designed for shipboard use by Canadian Naval forces, based on the US Navy's SH-3 (or S-61) and has been continuously in service with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canadian Forces since 1963.
The advent of nuclear-powered attack submarines in the late 1950s prompted RCN leaders to assess the new threat they posed. Although these craft were noisier than older submarines and could therefore be detected at longer ranges, they were also capable of 30 knots (56 km/h) while submerged, which was faster than the top speed of the RCN's new St. Laurent-class destroyer escorts at 28.5 knots (52.8 km/h). Some RCN leaders harbored serious doubts that the destroyers could effectively pursue and destroy such fast vessels, even when operating in pairs. During a 25 February 1959 meeting of the Naval Board, it was decided that the Navy would counter the new threat by outfitting destroyers for helicopter operation.
The RCN had examined the feasibility of operating ASW helicopters from small escorts when it modified the Prestonian-class frigate HMCS Buckingham in mid-1956 with a temporary helicopter landing platform. Successful trials were held in October 1956 using a Sikorsky HO4S-3 and a larger temporary landing platform was soon installed on the new destroyer escort HMCS Ottawa. Operational trials were conducted using an RCAF Sikorsky S-58, a substantially larger and heavier aircraft than the HO4S, and the success of these tests led to approval of the concept.
The RCN's then current HO4S-3 utility helicopter could not operate safely in inclement weather with a heavy weapons and sensor load, which would be imperative for the ASW role; hence, a more capable aircraft was needed. Initial 1959 studies identified two helicopters that seemed suitable - the Sikorsky S-61 (HSS-2) and the Kaman K-20 (HU2K)- but neither aircraft had flown at the time, so no choice was made. After further studies concluded that the smaller Kaman would better satisfy RCN requirements, the Treasury Board approved an initial procurement of 12 HU2K helicopters for $14.5 million in December 1960.
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Wikipedia