The Westland Sikorsky WS-61 Commando is a British anti-submarine warfare helicopter designed by Igor Sikorsky and built by Westland Helicopters. The Commando is powered by Rolls-Royce Gnome engines and has Canadian-made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised flight control system. The Commando was primarily designed for performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. It was also adapted for use in a troop transport role.
Variants[]
Civilian[]
- Westland WS-61L:
- Westland WS-61N:
- Westland WS-61L-Mark 2:
- Westland WS-61N-Mark 2:
- Westland WS-61NM:
- Westland WS-61T:
Military[]
- Westland Commando HAS.1:
- Westland Commando HAS.2:
- Westland Commando AEW.2:
- Westland Commando HAR.3:
- Westland Commando HC.4:
- Westland Commando HC.4A:
- Westland Commando HAS.5:
- Westland Commando HAR.5:
- Westland Commando AEW.5:
- Westland Commando AEW.5A:
- Westland Commando HAS.6:
- Westland Commando HAS.6-(CR):
- Westland Commando ASAC.7:
- Westland Commando HCC.8:
Export Variants[]
- Sea King Mk.41: Search and rescue version of the Sea King HAS.1 for the German Navy, with longer cabin; 23 built, delivered between 1973 and 1975. A total of 20 were upgraded from 1986 onwards with additional Ferranti Seaspray radar in nose and capability to carry four Sea Skua Anti-ship missiles. To be replaced by NH90s by 2025.
- Sea King Mk.42: Anti-submarine warfare version of the Sea King HAS.1 for the Indian Navy; 12 built.
- Sea King Mk.42A: Anti-submarine warfare version of the Sea King HAS.2 for the Indian Navy, fitted with haul-down system for operating from small ships; three built.
- Sea King Mk.42B: Multi-purpose version for the Indian Navy, equipped for anti-submarine warfare, with dipping sonar and advanced avionics, and anti-shipping operations, with two Sea Eagle missiles; 21 built (one crashing before delivery).
- Sea King Mk.42C: Search and rescue/utility transport version for the Indian Navy with nose mounted Bendix search radar; six built.
- Sea King Mk.43: Search and rescue version of the Sea King HAS.1 for the Royal Norwegian Air Force, with lengthened cabin; 10 built.
- Sea King Mk.43A: Uprated version of the Sea King Mk.43 for the Royal Norwegian Air Force, with airframe of Mk.2 but engines of Mk.1; single example built.
- Sea King Mk.43B: Upgraded version of the Sea King Mk.43 for the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Upgraded avionics, including MEL Sea Searcher radar in large dorsal radome, weather radar in nose and FLIR turret under nose. Three new-build plus upgrade of remaining Mk.43 and Mk.43A helicopters.
- Sea King Mk.45: Anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare version of the Sea King HAS.1 for the Pakistan Navy. Provision for carrying Exocet anti-ship missile; six built.
- Sea King Mk.45A: One ex-Royal Navy Sea King HAS.5 helicopter was sold to Pakistan as an attrition replacement.
- Sea King Mk.47: Anti-submarine version of the Sea King HAS.2 for the Egyptian Navy; six built.
- Sea King Mk.48: Search and rescue version for the Belgian Air Force. Airframe similar to HAS.2 but with extended cabin; five built, delivered 1976. Retired in 2018.
- Sea King Mk.50: Multi-role version for the Royal Australian Navy, equivalent to (but preceding) HAS.2; 10 built.
- Sea King Mk.50A: Two improved Sea Kings were sold to the Royal Australian Navy as part of a follow-on order in 1981.
- Sea King Mk.50B: Upgraded multi-role version for the Royal Australian Navy.
- Commando Mk.1: Minimum change assault and utility transport version for the Egyptian Air Force, with lengthened cabin but retaining sponsons with floatation gear; five built.
- Commando Mk.2: Improved assault and utility transport version for the Egyptian Air Force, fitted with more powerful engines, non-folding rotors and omitting undercarriage sponsons and floatation gear; 17 built.
- Commando Mk.2A: Assault and utility transport version for the Qatar Emiri Air Force, almost identical to Egyptian Mk.2; three built.
- Commando Mk.2B: VIP transport version of Commando Mk.2 for the Egyptian Air Force; two built.
- Commando Mk.2C: VIP transport version of Commando Mk.2A for the Qatar Emiri Air Force; one built.
- Commando Mk.2E: Electronic warfare version for the Egyptian Air Force, fitted with integrated ESM and jamming system, with radomes on side of fuselage; four built.
- Commando Mk.3: Anti-ship warfare version for the Qatar Emiri Air Force, fitted with dorsal radome and capable of carrying two Exocet missiles. Eight built.
