The Minister of Defense, Jorge Taiana, led today the presentation ceremony of the two medium Sea King SH-3H helicopters belonging to the Argentine Navy, recently acquired with contributions from the National Defense Fund (FONDEF), with the aim of improving the operational and logistical capabilities of the Antarctic Campaign, search and rescue operations and surveillance and control of the Exclusive Economic Zone.
«This incorporation is an example of the priority given to Antarctic work, in this way Argentina strengthens its Antarctic Campaign and strengthens its look to the south, since a good part of the Sea King’s tasks are carried out on the white continent», highlighted the head of Defense in the facilities of the Comandante Espora Naval Air Base, Bahía Blanca, in the south of the province of Buenos Aires.
«This incorporation shows in practice the result that the FONDEF is having, aimed at the recovery, modernization and acquisition of armament», said Taiana when mentioning the importance of «the acquisition of these two medium helicopters that place us again in the first line of modern equipment».
After thanking and expressing his satisfaction for the work of those involved in the process of incorporating the aircraft, the Minister concluded: «We are on the road to recovering the military, naval and air capabilities of our Armed Forces».
This acquisition reinforces the commitment of the Ministry of Defense and the Argentine Navy to Search and Rescue operations, the protection of Argentine sovereignty rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone and the support to logistic and scientific activities in Antarctica, as well as to the supply of joint bases.
In addition, these aircraft – destined to the Second Helicopter Aeronautical Squadron (EAH2), located at the Comandante Espora Naval Air Base – will contribute to provide security to the embarked personnel in situations that require a medical evacuation from the sea to the coast, and subsequently to land medical care centers. They will also serve to meet the training needs of the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Sea Fleet.
For the acquisition of these rotary wing aircraft, the technical characteristics of the embarked helicopters, the capabilities required to fulfill the assigned tasks and the availability of flight decks and hangars of the surface units of this Force were considered, which will allow the aircraft to remain embarked for long periods of time.
Likewise, this incorporation will improve the capabilities of the helicopter – ship binomial, will allow to extend the search beyond the horizon, increase the probability of detection, reduce the time in the exploration of the maritime areas, and materialize the presence of the Argentine Navy in an area of high national interest as the Argentine Antarctica.
Technical characteristics of the Sea King
Their characteristics make them suitable for use in surface units, as they have adequate dimensions to hangar and operate on board for long periods of time. In addition, the aircraft are suitable for day and night operations under any weather conditions, and have the necessary equipment to carry out search and rescue tasks, personnel and cargo transfer, maritime surveillance and other tasks typical of the versatility of the environment.
In this sense, they present optimal conditions to go with a rescue crew to remote areas of the Atlantic Ocean, showing their capabilities as marine helicopters and personnel and wounded transport helicopters. To date, Sea King helicopters have performed nearly 40 rescues, saving numerous lives.
They have also been protagonists in community support and rescue tasks on land, collaborating throughout the national territory in providing relief in natural disasters such as floods, snowfalls, fires and flooding of localities, as well as providing assistance during the pandemic and in the search for missing persons.
The Sikorsky SH-3H are transport helicopters with a five-blade main rotor, powered by two 1500 HP General Electric T-58-GE-402 engines, designed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and manufactured by Sikorsky’s Stratford plant in the United States.
Carson Helicopters developed a range of upgrades for the SH-3H platform, ranging from a modern avionics system that allows all-weather operation with integrated digital MFCD (Multifuction Control Display) GMPS (Ground Mission Planning System) cockpit for night and instrument flight, compatible with night vision goggles (NVG); a digital communications management suite, new composite main rotor blades that increase the helicopter’s performance.
Its fuselage is a semi-monocoque metal construction subdivided into five main sections. The forward fuselage section and hull consist of the pilot’s compartment, engine compartment, transmission compartment, double-seat cockpit (equipped with controls and operating instruments from each seat) and fuel tanks.
It has a flight range in excess of 5 hours; a minimum service ceiling of 10,000 feet (approximately 10,000 meters); a maximum cruising speed in excess of 120 knots (approximately 220 kilometers per hour); a cargo hook system capable of lifting and carrying up to 11,000 pounds (approximately 4,900 kg), electric, emergency and manual release, and includes a scale and load sensor with in-cabin indicator.
Its capacity is for two crew and 15 passengers with 16G shock-resistant troop seats and impact attenuators; it also has the capacity to install stretchers for medical evacuation.
The landing gear system is sponson retractable, incorporating emergency buoyancy equipment and landing lights and anti-ice heating system in the pitot tube, windshield and engine air intake that provides protection against ice on the engine air intakes and engine starter cowlings.
