With the growing importance of helicopters in anti-submarine
warfare (ASW), the Navy sought a new design powerful enough
to contain search equipment, weaponry, and to have
all-weather flying ability.
Sikorsky's SH-3 was powered by twin T-58 shaft turbines,
enabling the Sea King to carry radar and dipping sonar, a
retractable type that allowed rapid coverage of large areas
of ocean. Up to two Mark 46 torpedoes could be carried as
well.
The performance of the Sea King lent itself to other missions,
including executive transport for the President, and
astronaut recovery for the Apollo lunar program.
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