A practice rescue scenario carried out at Southend on sea by an RAF Search & Rescue Sea King serial ZH544 and a Police launch
A practice rescue scenario carried out at Southend on sea by an RAF Search & Rescue Sea King HAR 3A serial ZH544 and a Police launch, winching to safety a volunteer. 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 troop transport 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 and RAF Search and Rescue Force helicopter. The Sea King was also adapted to meet the Royal Navy's requirement for a ship-based airborne early warning platform. As of 2013[update], the WS-61 Sea King remains in operation in Britain, as well as multiple export customers: Germany, Norway, Egypt and India
Size: 4000px × 2681px
Location: southend on sea, essex, UK
Photo credit: © Avpics / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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