Sikorsky Sea King 'Marine One'

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the replies. An APU was my first thought but I talked myself out of it as being OTT. However, reading your replies I can see the requirement for extra eletrical power.

I’d imagine that there are several electrical power demands on that aircraft that could overwhelm the normal electrical system, ranging from the exotic (DAS/Comms/other mission equipment) to the prosaic (Air Conditioning). There’s also, likely, a requirement to have some of thees capabilities on the ground without engines running (does the S-61 have an engine driven accessory drive like the Westland Sea King?).

APU

I think spanner monkey had it right, there is a jetpipe showing at the rear.

They’ve been there for years. Many years ago (circa 1996) I knew a HMX-1 pilot and asked him what it was…but I don’t recall his answer.

I don’t know how long they’ll stay in service since they’re the only S-61s left in U.S. service.

It was policy to change the transmission halfway through the TH O, the removed unit was sent to stores and presumably issued to a Navy aircraft. Now without the large fleet to amorttize costs, operations costs must he huge.

I don’t know why they don’t switch completely to the existing VH-60s pending the delivery of the VIP S-92s….probably because that means the “Prez” misses the classic stand n the door photo opportunity.

It will probably be a missile warning / IR countermeasures pod similar to the Guardian system

http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/DIRCM/Pages/default.aspx

It’s the cage for the emergency homing pigeon…they’re that old!

APU pod?