Sikorsky S-333

Schweizer 330/ S-333

Schweizer 333 at the Góraszka Air Picnic 2009
Role	Light utility and trainer helicopter
Manufacturer	Schweizer Aircraft Corporation Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight	June 14, 1988
Introduction	1992
Status	Active In production
Primary users	Dominican Air Force Mexican Navy
Produced	1988-present
Developed from	Schweizer 300
Developed into	MQ-8 Fire Scout Sikorsky S-434

The Schweizer 330 and 333 are turbine-powered developments of the Schweizer 300 light piston-powered helicopter. As of 2007, only the Schweizer 333 remains in production.^[1] In February 2009, the 333 was rebranded as the Sikorsky S-333.^[2]

Development

Schweizer 330

In 1987, Schweizer announced development of the Schweizer 330 using the dynamic components, rotors, controls and systems of the 300C; however, it was redesigned with an all-new fuselage.^[3] The first 330, converted from a 300C and powered by an Allison 250-C10A, flew on June 14, 1988. The FAA certified the aircraft in September 1992.

The improved 330SP was introduced in May 1997 and featured an improved rotor and raised skids, which could be retrofitted to previous 330 models. An Allison (later Rolls-Royce) 250-C20W turboshaft was derated to 165 kW (220 hp), giving the 330SP excellent hot and high performance, maintaining power output to 18,000 feet.

Schweizer 333

Schweizer 333

Shortly after the release of the 330, Schweizer began work on upgrading the dynamic components of the Schweizer 330SP. Over two years later, Schweizer released a new variant, the Schweizer 333. Featuring the newly developed dynamic systems components and new-technology rotor blades with a cambered airfoil and a larger diameter, the upgraded helicopter benefited with a greater max gross weight, more useful load, more speed and more hover performance; nearly a 30% increase in performance over the 330SP. Schweizer created a kit to upgrade Model 330 and 330SP aircraft.^[4]

In February 2008, an improved version of the series, the Schweizer S-434 was released.^[5]^[6]

Design

The 330 used the 300C's dynamic components, a Rolls Royce 250 turboshaft engine, and a new four-seat cockpit/cabin and body and new instrumentation.

Operational history

Schweizer was purchased on August 26, 2004, by Sikorsky Aircraft. The Schweizer 300/333 models fill a gap in the Sikorsky helicopter line, which is known for its medium and heavy utility and cargo helicopters. Sikorsky has since taken advantage of Schweizer's rapid prototyping technology, originally used during development of the 333 dynamic components and the RQ-8 prototype, to develop the X-2 Technology Demonstrator.^[7]

Variants

A RQ-8A Fire Scout helicopter preparing to land on the USS Nashville

330: Using the 300C dynamic components, Schweizer mounted a Rolls Royce 250-C10A engine to the airframe and developed a new four-seat cockpit/cabin and body.
330SP: improved rotor and raised skids, Rolls Royce 250-C20W engine.
333: Featuring new dynamic system components, new rotor blades, and high skids as standard equipment, the 333 has a 30% greater useful load than the 330SP.
RQ-8/MQ-8 Fire Scout: The MQ-8B Fire Scout is an unmanned derivative of the Schweizer 330SP/333 helicopter, with a new fuselage, new fuel system, and UAV electronics and sensors. It also utilizes a new four-bladed rotor system based on that of the Schweizer 333. The Fire Scout is currently in development for the United States Navy's VTUAV program with cooperation from Northrop Grumman. The original RQ-8A was based on the 330SP.
Schweizer S-434: Based on improvements developed for the MQ-8B, this is a new version of the 333. Four-bladed main rotor.^[8]

Operators

Dominican Republic

Dominican Air Force^[9]^[10]

Mexico

Mexican Navy

Specifications (333)

Data from International Directory of Civil Aircraft^[3] and Technical specifications^[11]

General characteristics

Crew: 1-2 pilots
Capacity: 1-3 passengers
Payload: 1250 lb (567 kg)
Length: (overall) 31 ft 2 in (9.5 m)
Rotor diameter: 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Height: 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m)
Empty weight: 1210 lb (549 kg)
Loaded weight: 2460 lb (1116 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 2550 lb (1156 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C20W turboshaft, 235 shp (175 kW); full rating: 420 shp (315 kW)

Performance

Cruise speed: 105 kt (194 km/h)
Range: 319 nm (590 km)
Rate of climb: 1380 ft/min (7.01 m/s)

References

↑ Schweizer Aircraft 333 page
↑ Sikorsky Press Release February 23, 2009
↑ 3.0 3.1 Frawley, Gerard: The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004, page 190. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7
↑ Flug Revue article on the 333
↑ Sikorsky announces launch of Schweizer S-434^TM Commercial Helicopter at Heli-Expo
↑ Heli-Expo 2008: Sikorsky launches Schweizer 434
↑
↑ Rotorcraft Report: New Schweizer Model? The Turbine 434
↑ "Escuela de Helicópteros". aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
↑ "Dominican Republic Schweizer-333". Demand media. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
↑ Technical Data Summary, Model 333

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schweizer 330/333.

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Sikorsky S-333

Development

Schweizer 330

Schweizer 333

Design

Operational history

Variants

Operators

Specifications (333)

See also

References

External links