Sikorsky S-61 H-3
in
US Navy

The Sea King first flew on 11 March 1959 and became operational as the HSS-2 before the introduction of the unified aircraft designation system in 1962 when was renamed SH-3A. It was primarily used for antisubmarine warfare from aircraft carriers by HS squadrons. In the 1990s the Sea King was replaced in this main role by the SH-60F and many have been reroled for logistical support and SAR missions based at coastal stations. After entering naval service it was also ordered by the Air Force (CSAR and Cargo), the Coast Guard (SAR) and the Marines (VIP). The latest airframe first entered service as an SH-3D in November 1966. All survivors SH-3A/D were converted later to RH-3A, HH-3A, SH-3G, SH-3H or UH-3H Between 1999 and 2005, IMP Aerospace from Halifax, Canada refurbished 60 Sea King under a Standard Depot Level Maintenance (SDLM) contract in order to extend their life cycles as utility helicopters. The H-3 was phased out by 2009 after more than 50 years in service. This makes the Sea King the longest-serving operational helicopter model in Navy history.

147137 - 147146 : XHSS-2 ( 10 )
148033 - 148052 : YHSS-2 (SH-3A from 1962) ( 20 )
148964 - 149012 : HSS-2 (SH-3A from 1962) ( 49 )
149679 - 149738 : HSS-2 (SH-3A from 1962) ( 60 )
149893 - 149934 : HSS-2 (SH-3A from 1962) ( 42 )
150610 - 150617 : USMC HSS-2Z ( VH-3A from 1962) ( 8 )
150618 - 150620 : HSS-2 (SH-3A from 1962) ( 3 )
151522 - 151557 : HSS-2 (SH-3A from 1962) ( 36 )
151635 - 151637 : cancelled SH-3A
152104 - 152138 : SH-3A ( 35 )
152139 ( c/n 61-339 ) : YSH-3D ( 1 )
152690 - 152713 : SH-3D ( 24 )
153532 - 153537 : SH-3D MAP Spain batch 1 ( 6 )
154100 - 154123 : SH-3D ( 24 )
156483 - 156506 : SH-3D ( 24 )
158724 - 158725 : SH-3D MAP Spain batch 2 ( 2 )
158874 - 158875 : SH-3D ( 2 )
159026 - 159029 : SH-3D ( 4 )
159053 - 159056 : SH-3D MAP Spain batch 3 ( 4 )
159350 - 159360 : USMC VH-3D ( 11 )
161207 - 161212 : SH-3D MAP Spain batch 4 ( 6 )