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The Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter designed for shipboard use by Canadian Naval forces, based on the US Navy's SH-3 (or S-61) and has been continuously in service with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces since 1963. ==Design and development== The advent of nuclear-powered attack submarines in the late 1950s prompted RCN leaders to assess the new threat they posed. Although these craft were noisier than older submarines and could therefore be detected at longer ranges, they were also capable of while submerged, which was faster than the top speed of the RCN's new destroyers at . Some RCN leaders harbored serious doubts that the destroyers could effectively pursue and destroy such fast vessels, even when operating in pairs. During a 25 February 1959 meeting of the Naval Board, it was decided that the Navy would counter the new threat by outfitting destroyers for helicopter operation.〔Soward 1995, pp.169-171.〕 The RCN had examined the feasibility of operating ASW helicopters from small escorts when it modified the in mid-1956 with a temporary helicopter landing platform. Successful trials were held in October 1956 using a Sikorsky HO4S-3〔Soward 1995, pp.63-65.〕〔(''Crowsnest Magazine - Vol 17, Nos 3 and 4 March-April 1965'' )〕 and a larger temporary landing platform was soon installed on the new destroyer escort . Operational trials were conducted using an RCAF Sikorsky S-58, a substantially larger and heavier aircraft than the HO4S, and the success of these tests led to approval of the concept.〔〔Soward 1995, pp.92-93.〕 The RCN's then current HO4S-3 utility helicopter could not operate safely in inclement weather with a heavy weapons and sensor load, which would be imperative for the ASW role; hence, a more capable aircraft was needed. Initial 1959 studies identified two helicopters that seemed suitable - the Sikorsky S-61 (HSS-2) and the Kaman K-20 (HU2K)- but neither aircraft had flown at the time, so no choice was made. After further studies concluded that the smaller Kaman would better satisfy RCN requirements, the Treasury Board approved an initial procurement of 12 HU2K helicopters for $14.5 million in December 1960.〔 Despite this apparent setback for Sikorsky, several factors would derail the Kaman proposal. When the Naval Board held a follow-up meeting on 27 January 1961 to discuss the program, it was revealed that the asking price for the initial 12 units had nearly doubled to $23 million, a mere 6 weeks after the Treasury Board had approved the purchase. The Naval Board continued to endorse the HU2K, but some RCN leaders had serious misgivings due to the drastic price increase and staff reports that Kaman's performance projections might be overly optimistic. The Naval Board decided to await upcoming USN sea trials of the HU2K before rendering a final decision.〔Soward 1995, pp.244-246.〕 The USN trials confirmed the calculations of RCN staff members; the HU2K was substantially heavier than promised, hampering its flight performance and rendering it incapable of meeting RCN requirements, even if Kaman were to install a proposed upgraded engine. The Sea King was ultimately chosen for production on 20 December 1961.〔Soward 1995, pp.261-262.〕 The first of 41 helicopters would be delivered in 1963 carrying the designation CHSS-2 Sea King. The airframe components were made by Sikorsky in Connecticut but most CHSS-2s were assembled in Longueuil, Quebec by United Aircraft of Canada (now Pratt & Whitney Canada), a subsidiary of Sikorsky's parent company. On 27 November 1963, the new landing platform aboard was used for the first operational destroyer landing of a production CHSS-2.〔Soward 1995, pg. 326.〕 Upon the unification of Canada’s military in 1968, the CHSS-2 was re-designated CH-124. In the 1960s,〔Gordon, Lisa, (The King at sea )" ''Vertical Magazine'', 9 December 2013. Accessed: 11 December 2013.〕 the RCN developed a technique for landing the huge helicopters on small ship decks, using a 'hauldown' winch (called a 'Beartrap'), earning aircrews the nickname of 'Crazy Canucks'. The 'Beartrap' allows recovery of the Sea King in virtually any sea state.〔( ST. LAURENT Class History. )〕 In 1968, the RCN, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Canadian Army unified to form the Canadian Forces; air units were dispersed throughout the new force structure until Air Command (AIRCOM) was created in 1975. In August 2011, the Canadian Forces reverted to the former structure of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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