As of: February 29, 2024, 2:18 p.m
By: Patrick Mayer
Comments
Press
Split
Ukraine receives the “Sea King” naval helicopter from Germany.
However, one Ukrainian pilot's enthusiasm is limited.
Kherson - The British armed forces have already decommissioned them.
We are talking about the “Sea King” naval helicopters.
These large helicopters were developed by the US manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in the 1960s.
Ukraine War: Germany has not yet delivered the “Sea King” helicopter
The German Bundeswehr still has 23 examples in service.
Six of them are to go to Ukraine as additional means of transport in the defense against Russia.
The Federal Ministry of Defense announced this on January 24th.
As of February 29, the Sea King Mk.41 helicopters had not yet been delivered, which can be seen from the traffic light federal government's list of military support services.
At least among an experienced Ukrainian helicopter pilot, the delivery of the approximately 50-year-old device from Germany for the Ukraine war hardly sparked any enthusiasm.
Designed for use over water: The Bundeswehr's Sea King MK41, six of which will be delivered to Ukraine.
© IMAGO/Sven Eckelkamp
Helicopter for Ukraine: Pilot calls for “more modern weapons”
“We don’t need them in our unit,” a 32-year-old pilot named Kyrylo told the
Berliner Morgenpost
.
Instead, he demanded: “We need more modern weapons.
It would be helpful if we had Hellfire or Brimstone missiles, they are much more efficient and precise than the missiles we fire with.” To put things into perspective: Great Britain recently announced the delivery of 200 more Brimstone anti-tank missiles to Kiev.
These can be fired from various military helicopters and combat armored vehicles on the ground very precisely and with a 6.5 kilogram tandem hollow charge with a lot of impact.
According to the report, Kyrylo flies an old Soviet-built Mil Mi-8 from the 1960s.
Carriers for anti-tank guided missiles can be mounted on these helicopters.
Apparently the technicians modified it
Mil Mi-8 so that the helicopter can fire even the comparatively modern Brimstone guided missiles.
My news
1 hour ago
Nuclear threat, then election advertising – a highly anticipated topic is not mentioned by Putin in his speech
German Leopard 2: Ukraine soldier ruthlessly names life-threatening vulnerabilities
EU Parliament accepts controversial driving license reform: “Green control fantasies cannot find a majority” read
“Bastards”: Navalny team outraged after Putin’s harassment at funeral – and makes explosive decisions read
2 hours ago
British soldiers in Ukraine – did Scholz spill a secret? read
1 hour ago
After Macron's NATO move, Putin threatens escalation - CDU man warns of "serious mistake" read
Bundeswehr Sea King Mk.41 helicopters: six of them go to Ukraine
Such installation is probably not possible with the Sea King Mk.41.
What is known is that mounts for movable machine guns such as the Browning M2 can be installed in the doors and windows of the heavy transport helicopter.
According to the Bundeswehr website, a heavy machine gun with a caliber of 12.7 millimeters is planned for the Sea King from Germany.
Kyrylo said tellingly: “There is no mission in which we are not shot at.” After all, the crews (usually four soldiers) have to somehow defend themselves in their dangerous missions as Ukrainian losses in the war with Russia mount.
Sikorsky S-61 |
|
Manufacturer: |
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford (USA) |
Commissioning: |
1961 (with the US Armed Forces) |
Function: |
Multi-purpose helicopter for use over the sea and coastal waters |
Marine version of the Bundeswehr: |
Sea King Mk41 (in the naval aviation) |
Range: |
1,500 kilometers |
Overall performance: |
3400 hp |
Length Width Height: |
22.1m / 4.9m / 5.1m |
For use in the Ukrainian War: Sea King Mk.41 can transport many soldiers
Despite all the flaws, the Sea King Mk.41 also has great strengths from a military perspective, which the helicopter brings to the table for use near the front, while the Ukrainians are currently shooting down scores of Russian aircraft.
On the one hand, the pilots can fly very low with the helicopter, especially over water, which is what the marine helicopter was ultimately designed for.
With an output of 3,400 hp and a top speed of up to 250 km/h, the helicopter travels very quickly and can quickly get the soldiers on board out of dangerous situations.
Even more: a total of up to 20 soldiers can be transported from A to B with the Sea King Mk.41.
This makes it possible to quickly relocate troops from combined units.
(pm)