The Schweizer 330 and S333 are turbine-powered developments of the
Schweizer 300
The Schweizer S300 series (formerly Hughes 300, Schweizer 300, and Sikorsky S-300) family of light utility helicopters was originally produced by Hughes Helicopters, as a development of the Hughes 269. Later manufactured by Schweizer Aircraft, ...
light piston-powered helicopter. As of 2007, only the Schweizer 333 remains in production. In February 2009, the 333 was rebranded as the Sikorsky S-333. In 2018 the Schweizer R.S.G. bought the
Schweizer Aircraft from
Sikorsky Aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. It was established by aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky in 1923 and was among the first companies to manufacture helicopters for civilian and military use.
Pre ...
and it was rebranded as Schweizer S333 again.
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.
[Frawley, Gerard: ''The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004'', page 190. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ] 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
![Schweizer333](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Schweizer333.jpg)
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 rotor, the upgraded helicopter benefited from 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.
In February 2008, an improved version of the series, the
S-434 was released.
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
Sikorsky Aircraft is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. It was established by aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky in 1923 and was among the first companies to manufacture helicopters for civilian and military use.
Pre ...
. 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.
Variants
![Fire Scout unmanned helicopter crop](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Fire_Scout_unmanned_helicopter_crop.jpg)
;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
Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout is an
unmanned
An uncrewed vehicle or unmanned vehicle is a vehicle without a person on board. Uncrewed vehicles can either be under telerobotic control—remote controlled or remote guided vehicles—or they can be autonomously controlled—autonomous vehicl ...
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
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
's VTUAV program with cooperation from
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American multinational aerospace and defense technology company. With 90,000 employees and an annual revenue in excess of $30 billion, it is one of the world's largest weapons manufacturers and military techn ...
. The original RQ-8A was based on the 330SP.
;
Sikorsky S-434
The Sikorsky S-434 is a light, turbine-powered helicopter. The S-434 is an improved development of the Schweizer S333.
Design and development
The prototype S-434 first flew on 18 December 2008 at Horseheads, New York. The S-434 evolved from th ...
: Based on improvements developed for the MQ-8B, this is a new version of the 333, having a four-bladed main rotor.
Operators
;
*
Dominican Air Force
The Air Force of the Dominican Republic ( es, Fuerza Aérea de República Dominicana), is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic, together with the Army and the Navy.
History
At the end of the United States ...
;
*
Saudi Arabian Army
Royal Saudi Land Forces ( ar, القُوَّاتُ البَرِّيَّةُ المَلَكِيَّة السُّعُودِيَّة, Al-Quwwat al-Bariyah al-Malakiyah as-Su'udiyah) is the land warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of Saudi Arab ...
Specifications (333)
See also
References
External links
Schweizer 333 page on SACusa.comFAA Type Certificate 4H12
{{Sikorsky Aircraft
1980s United States helicopters
1980s United States civil utility aircraft
S-333
S-333
Single-turbine helicopters
Aircraft first flown in 1988