Sea King HC4 (Commando)
The Sea King HC4 (Mk 4) Commando was a medium lift support helicopter flown by Royal Navy Air Squadrons (RNAS) of the
Commando Helicopter Force (CHF)
. The CHF retired its last Sea Kings in March 2016, having transitioned to the
Merlin Mk3
.
The Commando could carry up to 27 fully laden troops or 6,000 lbs (2,720 kg) internally. Underslung loads up to 2.5 tonnes, such as
Land Rovers
or L118 105mm howitzers could be carried attached to an external cargo hook.
The cockpits of Sea King HC4s were compatible with Night Vision Goggles (NVGs).
Sea King HC4s were fitted with a Defensive Aids Suite comprising of:
- Sky Guardian 2000 radar-warning receiver
- Missile Approach Warning System
- Infra Red Jammer
- M130 / M147 chaff/flare dispenser.
Other avionics included :
- Bowman secure communications suite
- ‘Elmer’ secure speech radio
- Mode ‘C’ identification friend or foe system
The CHF's fleet of HC.4s were
upgraded in late 2007
with a new set of composite main rotor blades and a new set of 5-bladed tail rotors which enable the helicopter to operate in the mountains of Afghanistan. The upgraded aircraft was designate Seak King HC4+.
Sea King HC4 Specifications
Engine
|
2 Rolls Royce Gnome 1400-1 Turboshafts (1,400 shp each)
|
Rotor diameter
|
18.9m
|
Length
|
22m
|
Width
|
3.78m
|
Height
|
4.72m
|
Crew
|
3 (2 Pilots, 1 Aircrewman)
|
Cruising Speed
|
208km/h (129mph) at sea level
|
Range
(laden with 27 troops)
|
246 miles (396 km)
|
Sea King HC4 helicopters from the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) on operations in Afghanistan,
|
« commando helicopter force