SEA KING HAR3/3A

The Westland Sea King HAR3 Search and Rescue helicopter entered RAF service in 1978. The aircraft is powered by  x  Rolls Royce Gnome gas-turbine engines, each rated at 1,660 shp and is fitted with advanced all-weather search and navigation equipment, as well as autopilot and onboard computers to assist positioning and hovering at night or in bad weather.

In addition to four crew members the HAR3 can carry up to six stretchers, or 18 survivors. Under normal conditions expect the HAR3 to have an operational radius of approximately 448 kms (280 miles). The Sea King HAR3 replaced the Wessex HC2 in the SAR role in 1996. 

An early 1990s MoD report concluded that a total of 25 x Sea Kings were required to ensure that SAR duties were carried out effectively and an announcement was made in 1992 of an order for six more HAR3, to bring the total up to the required 25. Of these 25 aircraft, 16 are allocated for SAR duties in the UK, two in the Falkland Islands, three for conversion training and the remaining three form an engineering and operational pool.

RAF Sea King HAR3/3A are due to be phased out of service in 2017

In service with:

Both 22 and 202 Squadrons have 8 x Sea King HAR3/3A helicopters. Numbers of aircraft have been allocated to flights for rounding-up purposes.

Photo Courtesy of Alasdair Taylor