Vertipedia - Sikorsky S-61B (HSS-2)

Developed in 1959, commonly known as the HSS-2 under U.S. Navy service in ASW; later it was designated SH-3A Sea King. The amphibious helicopter has automatic blade folding, can operate in all weather conditions and can fulfill a hunter-killer role.

Overview

Data on design, manufacture and status

Design authority: Sikorsky Aircraft Division, United Aircraft and Transport Corporation

Primary manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft Division, United Aircraft and Transport Corporation

Parent type: Sikorsky S-61/H-3

Aircraft status: No longer flying

Configuration

Primary flight and mechanical characteristics

VTOL type: Helicopter

Lift devices: 1 Single main rotor

Dedicated control device: 1 Tail rotor

Crew required: 2 in Side-by-side arrangement

Landing gear: Wheels (all retractable)

Key Characteristics

Data on key physical features

Aircraft Details

Data on aircraft configuration, weights, flight performance and equipment

Layout and Dimensions

Weights and Performance

Engine Details

Primary Lift Device

Primary Control Device

Overall Dimensions
Overall Height:	5.13 m	16.8 ft
Overall Length:	22.12 m	72.6 ft
Overall Width:	18.90 m	62.0 ft

Airframe Dimensions
Airframe Length:	16.69 m	54.8 ft
Airframe Width:	4.88 m	16.0 ft
Airframe Height:	4.67 m	15.3 ft

Landing Gear Dimensions
Landing Gear Base:	7.11 m	23.3 ft
Landing Gear Track:	3.96 m	13.0 ft

Cabin Dimensions
Cabin Internal Height:	1.78 m	5.8 ft
Cabin Internal Length:	4.14 m	13.6 ft
Cabin Internal Width:	1.52 m	5.0 ft

Cruise Speed: 143.8 mph (231.5 km/h); Endurance is for Combat.

Weights
Max Gross Weight (ground):	8,185 kg	18,045 lb
Max Gross Weight (airborne):
Max Take-off Weight:	8,185 kg	18,045 lb
Empty Weight:	5,180 kg	11,420 lb

Climb Performance
Max Rate of Climb:	9 m/s	1,690 fpm

Hover Performance
Hover Ceiling IGE:
Hover Ceiling OGE:

Limitations
Max Level Flight Speed:	261 km/h	141 kts
Never Exceed Speed:
Service Ceiling:	4,481 m	14,701 ft

Range and Endurance
Max Range:	1,006 km	543 nm
Max Endurance:	4 hrs

Provided powerplant data is for uninstalled, sea level, static operations.

Powerplant
Number of engines:	2
Designation:	GE T58-GE-8 (HH-52) turbine
Manufacturer:	GE Aviation

Normal Ratings
Max continuous:
Take-off / rated:	544 kW	730 hp
Intermediate:
Maximum:

OEI Ratings
OEI contingency:
OEI continuous:
OEI 30-second:
OEI intermediate:

NACA 0012 airfoil

Main Rotor Characteristics
Diameter:	18.90 m	62.00 ft
RPM:	203.0 rpm	203.0 rpm
Direction of Rotation:	Counterclockwise
Hub Type:	Fully articulated

Main Rotor Blade Characteristics
Blade Construction:
Blade Chord:	0.464 m	1.52 ft
Blade Tip Geometry:	Conventional
Blade Twist:	-0.140 rad	-8.000 deg
Number of Blades:	5

Main Rotor Derived Characteristics
Disc Area:	280.48 m²	3019.2 ft²
Disc Loading:	29.18 kg/m²	5.977 lb/ft²
Solidity:	0.0781

Main Rotor Blade Derived Characteristics
Blade area per blade:	4.38 m²	47.1 ft²
Tip Speed:	200.86 m/s	659.0 fps

Tail Rotor Characteristics
Diameter:	3.15 m	10.33 ft
Configuration:	Pusher
Direction of Rotation:	Top blade aft
RPM:	1244 rpm	1244 rpm

Tail Rotor Blade Characteristics
Number of Blades:	5
Blade Construction:
Blade Chord:	0.187 m	0.61 ft
Blade Twist:

Tail Rotor Derived Characteristics
Disc Area:	7.79 m²	83.9 ft²
Solidity:	0.1885

Tail Rotor Blade Derived Characteristics
Tip Speed:	205.15 m/s	673.1 fps
Blade Area (per blade):	0.294 m²	3.16 ft²

References

References and sources used

Helicopters & Autogyros of the World

Paul Lambermont, Anthony Pirie
Cassell & Company Ltd., 1959 (page 390)
Book

Jane's Helicopter Markets and Systems

Jane's Information Group Limited
2003 (page 247)
Book

S-47 | S-47/R-4 Helicopter

Vinny Devine
Sikorsky Archives | Product History, Sep 19, 2017 (page 20)
Website
Very thorugh description and details of the R-4 series helicopter

Sikorsky Archives | S-61

Sikorsky Archives, Jim Bohan, Vinny Devine, Tom Lawrence
DECEMBER 18, 2013
Website

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Sikorsky S-61B (HSS-2)

Related milestones

Sikorsky S-61B (HSS-2)

Overview

Configuration

Key Characteristics

Aircraft Details

References

Related VFS Resources

Forum Proceedings

Vertiflite articles

Web files from vtol.org

Webpages from vtol.org

Images from the VFS Gallery

Related Public Resources

Publicly-funded resources provided by the US Government

Public resources provided by select scholarly and academic sources

Additional links

Images

Milestones related to the S-61B (HSS-2)

Main Rotor Diameter:	18.90 m	62.00 ft
Max Gross Weight (ground):	8,185 kg	18,045 lb

Number of engines:	2 Turbines
Max Level Flight Speed:	261 km/h	141 kts
Max Range:	1,006 km	543 nm
Max Endurance:	4 hrs	4 hrs