Sikorsky XHJS

Sikorsky S-53 / XHJS-1
Role	Helicopter
Manufacturer	Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight	22 September 1947
Primary user	United States Navy
Number built	2
Developed from	Sikorsky S-51

The Sikorsky XHJS-1 (manufacturer designation S-53), was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft to meet a Naval requirement for a utility helicopter. The XHJS-1 was not ordered into production and only two prototypes were built.

Design and development

Powered by a 525 hp (391 kW) Continental R-975-34 the S-53 was a development of the S-51 designed for use on aircraft carriers. The tail rotor was raised above head-height to give more clearance and the landing gear was made stronger to enable operations from a moving deck. Other enhancements were a folding main rotor and the option for amphibious landing gear. Two prototypes were ordered by the United States Navy as the XHJS-1 and the first flew on 22 September 1947. The type was evaluated against the Piaseckli XHJP-1. With the Piasceki design being ordered as the HUP-1 by the Navy the S-53 was not developed further.

Variants

XHJS-1

Prototype Naval utility helicopter, two built (BuNo 30368 and 30370).

Specification (XHJS-1)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 3
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental R-975-34 , 525 hp (391 kW)
• Main rotor diameter: 49 ft 0 in (14.94 m)

See also

• Sikorsky S-51
• Piaseckli XHUP-1

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.