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In February 2010 the US Department of State announced its intention to purchase up to 110 Sikorsky S-61Ts, to support its operations in Afghanistan and other countries around the world. An agreement was signed with Sikorsky.

Carson Helicopters, a major civilian operator of the S-61, is a joint developer with Sikorsky of the S-61T Triton which is a fully modernized version of the elderly S-61 which was designed and entered service in the early 1960s. Despite its age the S-61 has an excellent reputation as a reliable workhorse with a strong and durable construction, and it is these qualities which make their re-manufacture a viable alternative. Each conversion takes six months to complete and provides a full Sagem “glass cockpit”, a modular wiring harness, engine and transmission improvements, and composite main rotor blades in order to add extra speed and another 1,200 pounds of lift capacity.

Over twenty SH-3 Sea Kings, the military version of the S-61, comprising of SH-3D, SH-3G and SH-3H have been sourced from AMARG and provided with civilian registrations prior to being overhauled. Several more have been allocated for the project but remain in AMARG, awaiting their turn.

The first converted airframe was delivered to the U.S. State Department on December 2, 2010.

SH-3D Sea King 154113
Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King 154113. This SH-3D left AMARG on 24-AUG-2011 and is now registered to the U.S. State Department as N113WR. © Phil Kovaric.
SH-3G Sea King 149723
Sikorsky SH-3G Sea King 149723, ex. NASA 735. This SH-3G left AMARG on 28-APR-2011 and is now registered to the U.S. State Department as N723AW. © Phil Kovaric.
SH-3H Sea King 156489
SH-3H Sea King 156489. This SH-3H left AMARG on 26-JUL-2010 and is now registered as N489WR with the U.S. State Department. © Phil Kovaric.
SH-3H Sea King 148988
Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King 148988. This SH-3H left AMARG and is now registered to the U.S. State Department as N988AW. © Phil Kovaric.

Sikorsky Press Releases

Troy Facility Completes S-61 Airframe Modernization for U.S. State Department

23-MAY-2012

Sikorsky - TROY, Alabama - Sikorsky Aircraft’s Troy, Ala., facility announced today it has completed the structural modernization of its first S-61T™ airframe, which will now undergo completion at Carson Helicopters for eventual delivery to the U.S. State Department for diplomatic service in Afghanistan. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

The State Department signed an agreement in 2010 to purchase up to 110 modernized S-61™ aircraft that Sikorsky is refurbishing under its S-61T™ Program, managed by its aftermarket business Sikorsky Aerospace Services. The program includes the upgrade and installation of composite main rotor blades, state-of-the-art glass cockpit, modular wiring harness, and modern survivability and force protection enhancements – all of which dramatically improve aircraft capability and supportability. These enhancements result in an aircraft with improved safety, and 15 percent greater performance with a lower operating cost. The number of aircraft the State Department purchases will depend upon need and availability of government funding.

“With its rugged endurance, spaciousness and lift capabilities, the Sikorsky S-61 helicopter has proven to be a dependable, multi-mission aircraft and provides a capable solution for our customers looking for a utility aircraft with a legacy of strength and reliability. Our S-61 helicopter is the best value proposition in the industry,” said John Johnson, S-61 Program Director, Sikorsky Aerospace Services.

Sikorsky Aerospace Services launched the program in 2010 with Carson Helicopters, and so far has delivered 14 modernized S-61 aircraft to the State Department.

The Troy facility employs more than 640 people and produces SEAHAWK® airframes, and BLACK HAWK and CH148 Cyclone™ subassemblies for U.S. and foreign military customers. In 2012, the facility also began modernizing S-61 airframes for the upgrade program to take better advantage of available production capacity. Previously the airframes were all modernized at Carson Helicopters in Perkasie, Penn. The Troy facility has developed capacity to refurbish up to six aircraft in flow, with the program employing more than 100 people.

The S-61 helicopter has long been acclaimed as an industry workhorse. For more than 50 years, the aircraft have reliably and safely performed missions for U.S. and foreign allied militaries. The latest airframe first entered service as an SH-3D aircraft with the U.S. Navy in November 1966 and primarily performed antisubmarine warfare.

“Our workforce here in Troy is highly skilled and understands the importance of the work we do in support of our nation and military allies,” said facility General Manager Jason Lambert. “Completion of this first modernized airframe represents a big milestone for us. Our team is extremely proud of our ability to utilize world class lean manufacturing techniques to create capacity for this important program.”

Sikorsky Aerospace Services, a Sikorsky company, provides comprehensive support to rotary- and fixed-wing operators throughout the world. It offers its military and commercial customers a full portfolio of support services, including material distribution, maintenance, overhaul & repair, aircraft modifications and life-cycle support. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.


US Department of State Orders Three Additional Upgraded S-61 Helicopters

Sikorsky - SHELTON, Connecticut - Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced that the U.S. Department of State (DoS) has ordered three additional upgraded S-61 utility helicopters, bringing the total number purchased by DoS to 29 aircraft to date. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

“The S-61 helicopter is known as an industry workhorse and for decades has reliably performed missions for U.S. and foreign allied militaries. The upgraded S-61helicopter can be outfitted to meet a wide variety of requirements, and we believe it provides ‘best-in-class-value’ for a mid-size, multi-mission helicopter. In December 2010, we proudly delivered the first upgraded S-61 aircraft to the U.S. State Department for passenger and cargo transport missions,” said John Johnson, Director, S-61 Programs.

The three aircraft will transport diplomatic personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. Building on the S-61 helicopter’s 50-year legacy of dependability, SAS initiated the S-61 Upgrade Program in early 2010. As Sikorsky’s launch customer, the DoS has entered into a five-year IQ (indefinite quantity) agreement with the option to purchase up to 110 upgraded S-61 aircraft. This IQ purchase agreement serves as the contracting vehicle for any U.S. government agency to purchase upgraded S-61 aircraft.

The upgraded S-61 helicopters will undergo a full structural refurbishment with all major dynamic components zero-timed and key upgrades provided, including new composite main rotor blades (CMRB) and a survivability suite. The customer can select additional options such as a state-of-the-art glass cockpit and crashworthy primary and auxiliary fuel systems.

Sikorsky Aerospace Services, a Sikorsky company, provides comprehensive support to rotary and fixed wing operators worldwide. It offers its military and commercial customers a full portfolio of aftermarket support services, including material distribution, maintenance, overhaul & repair, aircraft modifications and life-cycle support.Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.  


S-61T Project Termination

Summary of Regenerated SH-3

Serial Type CN Disposition Date Civil Registration Date of Registration Date of De-registration Comment/Fate
148969 SH-3H 61-041 01-FEB-2011 N969WL 08-DEC-2010
To Carson Helicopters on 24-MAR-2021
  Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156302). Currently registered to Carson Helicopters.
148983 SH-3H 61-055 21-DEC-2010 N983WW 08-DEC-2010
To Carson Helicopters on 05-DEC-2019
  Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156308). Currently registered to Carson Helicopters.
148988 SH-3H 61-062 19-JAN-2011 N988AW 19-APR-2011
To Carson Helicopters on 24-MAR-2021
  Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156304). Currently registered to Carson Helicopters.
149735 SH-3H 61-153 15-DEC-2011 N735WC 04-AUG-2010
To Carson Helicopters on 24-MAR-2021
  Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156309). Currently registered to Carson Helicopters.
149898 SH-3H 61-167 23-DEC-2010 N898WC 08-DEC-2010
To Carson Helicopters on 24-MAR-2021
  Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156313). Currently registered to Carson Helicopters.
149917 SH-3H 61-187 02-JUN-2008 N187WL To Carson Helicopters on 24-MAR-2021   Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156303). Currently registered to Carson Helicopters.
152107 SH-3H 61-300 19-JAN-2011 N107WK 23-JUN-2011
To Carson Helicopters on 24-MAR-2021
  Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156310).Currently registered to Carson Helicopters.
152113 SH-3H 61-306 17-DEC-2010 N113WK 01-JUN-2011
To Croman Corporation on 12-DEC-2019
  Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156307). Currently registered to Croman Corporation.
152115 SH-3H 61-308 17-DEC-2010 N115WK 29-AUG-2011
To Carson Helicopters on 24-MAR-2021
  Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156305). Currently registered to Carson Helicopters.
152122 SH-3H 61-316 21-DEC-2010 N122WU 15-JUL-2011
To Carson Helicopters on 24-MAR-2021
02-AUG-2022 Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156312). To Argentinian Navy as 0885.
152131 SH-3H 61-325 30-MAY-2012 N131WL 12-AUG-2010
To Carson Helicopters on 24-MAR-2021
  Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156301). Currently registered to Carson Helicopters.
152703 SH-3H 61-366 03-DEC-2010 N703WK 01-JUN-2011
To Croman Corporation on 03-DEC-2019
  Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156306). Currently registered to Croman Corporation.
212575 SH-3H 61-152 30-MAY-2012 N575AW 04-AUG-2010
To Carson Helicopters on 24-MAR-2021
02-AUG-2022 Auctioned by GSA 30-MAY-2019 (LOT 91QSCI19156311). To Argentinian Navy as 0886.

These Google Maps aerial images of the Specialized Aircraft yard show the 14 Sikorsky SH-3 Sea Kings shortly after they left the facility. They were delivered to the yard, which was situated right next to the southern boundary of AMARC before it was closed, to await their onward delivery to Carson Helicopter's base located in Perkasie, PA.

SpecializedSH3H1
SpecializedSH3H2
SpecializedSH3H3
SpecializedSH3H4