Westland Sea King

The Westland Sea King is most probably one of the Worlds most recognised and well-known helicopters. The Sea King was the mainstay of RAF search and rescue operations for many years, and the sole type used for this role since the Wessex was phased out in the 1990s. The Sea King HAR3 entered RAF service in 1978, and has since been augmented by the improved HAR3A version. Today, there is a global fleet of more than 70 Sea King aircraft still active with six international operators.

Westland Sea King HC4 ZF122

Constructors Number WA969

846 Sqn (“VI”) 1998
846 Sqn (“VU”) 2000
845 Sqn (“L”) 2007
846 Sqn (“V”)

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 was adapted by Westland as a troop transport and was known as the Commando.

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 Balkans conflict, the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War. The Sea King is perhaps most well known in its capacity 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.