3
Westland Seaking AEW 2
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Seaking AEW 2
The
Royal Navy lost its airborne early warning capability when the Gannet
AEW3 retired with HMS Ark Royal in 1979. The need for a replacement became
obvious during the 1982 Falklands War with the fleet unable to see past the
radar horizon and therefore direct fighters against incoming enemy aircraft.
A helicopter was the only possible AEW platform that could fly from the Invincible
class carriers so two Sea King HAS2s were hurriedly modified with an adapted
June 20, 2007 3:37 PM, as used
in the RAFJune 20, 2007 3:37 PM
AEW2A, were not ready in time to take part in the war but were a success, although
not as capable as a fixed wing AEW platform. The first two were followed by
a further 8 conversions which went into squadron service in 1985, with a flight
of three from the reformed 849 NAS. on each of the two active carriers.
Work
is currently underway to convert the AEW2A Sea Kings to AEW7 standard with improved
avionics. The AEW Sea King is likely to eventually be replaced with an AEW version
of the Merlin helicopter.
The
Westland Sea King is a licence built version of the US SH-3D, mixing the Sikorsky
airframe with British engines and avionics. The first prototype HAS1 flew on
7 May 1969 and entered service in August that year. 824 NAS. became the first
front line operators of the HAS1 in February 1970. By the mid 1970's the Sea
King was becoming the RN's main ASW helicopter, due to both its range and stores
capacity. An upgraded version, the HAS2, was delivered from June 1976 onwards.
Later a troop carrying version was added to the inventory, the HC4, which can
carry up to 28 troops with a door mounted 7.62mm GPMG. A small number of HAS2s
were modified for Airborne Early Warning (see below).
More
recently the ASW Sea King has seen further upgrades, first to HAS5 in the 1980's,
and now to HAS6 standard, with various avionics improvements. Some Mk.5s are
configured for search & rescue, designated HAR5. The Sea King will eventually
be replaced by the EH-101 Merlin but SAR versions are likely to serve well into
the next century.
Over
100 Sea Kings have been delivered to the RN, including replacements for losses
during the Falklands War.
Specifications
Dimensions: Rotor diameter 18.9 m (62ft) ; Length 16.69 m (54ft 9in) ; Height
5.2 m (17ft 2in) ; Rotor Disc Area 280.55 sq.m (3,019.84 sq.ft)
Weights: Maximum Take-off 9707 kg (21,400 lb)
Powerplant: two Rolls Royce Gnome (Mks. 1 & 2 H1400-1, Mk. 4 onwards H1400-2)
free power turbines - 1193 kW (1,600 shp) maximum power each.
Performance: Maximum cruising speed 144 mph (232 kph, 125 kt)
Avionics: Sea Searcher radar ; Type 2069 variable depth sonar with AQS-902 passive
sonarbuoy analyser ; 'Orange Crop' ESM.
Armament: HAS: 4 lightweight torpedoes or depth charges ; optional door mounted
7.62 mm GPMG. HC: door mounted 7.62 mm GPMG. SAR: none
(AEW2A)
As HAS2 except:
Avionics: Thorn/EMI Searchwater
Radar ; 'Orange Crop' ESM.
Armament: none
10 Sea King AEW2As were converted from HAS2s, 9 of which will be converted to AEW7
standard.
WANNA 'NOW MO' ?
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page modified November 16, 2006 11:33 AM