Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican

The search and rescue helicopter built for offshore operations.

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Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican
Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican 1486 – © Tomás Del Coro

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Overview

Sikorsky Helicopter United States ICAO: HH3F 1967–1994 $19 million

The Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican was developed for the U.S. Coast Guard as a long-range search and rescue helicopter. Entering service in the late 1960s, it was adapted from the SH-3 Sea King. The aircraft served for decades in demanding maritime environments.

Live Fleet Activity (HH3F)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × General Electric T58-10 turboshafts
Engine type
Turboshaft
Power
2 × 1,500 shp · 1,119 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
28
Crew
—
Cabin width
6 ft 7 in  ·  2.00 m
Cabin height
6 ft 0 in  ·  1.82 m
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
73 ft 2 in  ·  22.30 m
Tail height
18 ft 1 in  ·  5.51 m
Fuselage diameter
7 ft 10 in  ·  2.40 m
Wing span
62 ft 4 in  ·  19.00 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
22,100 lb  ·  10,000 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
8,000 lb  ·  3,650 kg
Fuel capacity
1,080 gal · 4,100 L · 3,300 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
143 kt  ·  165 mph  ·  265 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
780 nm  ·  900 mi  ·  1,440 km
Fuel burn
0.63 nm/gal  ·  0.31 km/L
Ceiling
21,000 ft  ·  6,400 m
Rate of climb
2,220 ft/min  ·  11 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican.

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Operational Context

Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican — long-range search and rescue helicopter

The HH-3F entered service in 1969 with enhanced avionics and rescue equipment. A boat-shaped hull allowed amphibious capability. The helicopter was designed for extended offshore missions.

Two turboshaft engines producing approximately 1,500 shaft horsepower each powered the aircraft. Cruise speed approached 120 knots (222 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 22,000 pounds (9,979 kg).

The Pelican conducted thousands of rescues during its service life. It was gradually replaced by newer helicopters in the 1990s. The aircraft remains an important chapter in Coast Guard aviation history.