The Sea Sprite traces its origins to a prototype that first flew in July 1959, with fleet deliveries beginning in December 1962. The SH-2G is an all-weather helicopter capable of anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, mine detection, search and rescue, and general utility missions. With an endurance of up to five hours, it became known as the largest and most powerful helicopter able to operate from smaller Navy ships, a role it continued to fill for decades.
Aircraft Specifications
Physical Description
All-metal helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor and twin turboshaft engines mounted above the cabin.
Crew: 3 (plus capacity for 3 passengers)
Length: 52 ft 9 in
Main rotor diameter: 44 ft 4 in
Height: 15 ft 1 in
Weight (empty / max takeoff): 8,562 lbs / 13,500 lbs
Powerplant: Two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, 1,723 horsepower each
Maximum speed: 150 mph
Range: 506 miles
Service ceiling: 16,700 ft
Weapons
Armament: Two Mk 46 or Mk 50 torpedoes; AGM-119 Penguin anti-ship missile capability; M60 machine guns for self-defense.
Key Accomplishments
Served as the largest and most capable helicopter able to operate from smaller Navy combatant ships, filling a role no other aircraft could.
This aircraft (Bureau #162576) was originally built as an SH-2F and later returned to the Kaman factory for a two-year conversion to the upgraded SH-2G configuration, reflecting the ongoing modernization throughout its service life.
After its retirement, this aircraft was restored by the very squadron that flew it , HSL-94.
Build Date
1986 (as SH-2F); converted to SH-2G configuration in 1992–1994
Manufacturer
Kaman Aircraft Corporation
Dates of Service
1994 – 1998
Country of Origin
United States
Inventory Number
Bureau #162576
Credit
On loan from The National Naval Aviation Museum on behalf of the Navy History and Heritage Command.
Display Status
This aircraft was originally built as an SH-2F and first flew in March 1986. In August 1992, it returned to the Kaman factory for conversion to the SH-2G configuration, a process completed two years later. In May 1994, the aircraft arrived at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove and served with squadron HSL-94. It was retired in May 1998, after which members of HSL-94 restored the aircraft before the Museum acquired it that same year.
Status: On display.
