Description

The Sikorsky HSS-2B Sea King is an anti-submarine helicopter of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force initially used HSS-2 and -2A, but it was changed to HSS-2B type from procurement in 1977. The HSS-2B is an aircraft that is almost the same as the SH-3H used by the US Navy and has enhanced anti-submarine detection equipment.

The anti-submarine detection equipment to be installed includes HQS102 dipping sonar, HPS-102 search radar, ASQ-81B (V)-2 magnetic detector (MAD), AN ALR-66ESM reverse detector, and 12 sonobuoy shoots. Although it is equipped with this equipment, since it does not have an analysis device on its own, when it receives a sonobuoy radio wave, it relays it to the mother ship via a data link device.

The HSS-2B is equipped with a tactical information processing device (TDDS) that comprehensively processes the data of the onboard detection device. The load has been reduced and the accuracy of strategic flight has improved dramatically.

HSS-2B has a land type and a ship-mounted type, and the ship-mounted type is equipped with a hydraulic winch that extends and hoists the hold-down cable as a shipboard restraint device.

• Crew: 4
• Main rotor diameter: 18.90m
• Total length: 22.15m
• Fuselage length: 16.69m
• Total height: 5.13m
• Gross weight: 9,298kg
• Engine: GE T-58-IHI-10M
• Thrust: 1,500shp x 2
• Maximum speed: 144kt (267km h)
• Practical climb limit: 4,480m
• Cruising range: 524nm (970km)
• Fixed armament: None