The Indian Army’s commitment to Himalayan security needs in late 1959 resulted in the evaluation of helicopters capable of high-altitude operations. Various turbine-powered machines were examined, including the British Westland Wessex and Saunders-Roe Wasp while Sikorskys’ of the U.S.A. proposed that their model S-62 be built under licence in India. An Indian technical team visited the Sikorsky plant in June 1960 and two S-62Bs were ordered in August 1960. The S-62B was intensively evaluated for operations in the mountains, especially in Kashmir, but the Soviet Mi-4 was found more suitable. The S-62Bs however continued in service, employed for VIP transportation from Palam and other communication duties. An S-62B was the first chopper to carry out high altitude rescue, this being from a height of 15,000 ft. in Kashmir.
Notes :
Flown for the first time in May 1958, the S-62 employed much of the well-proven components of the radial-powered S-55 although possessing an entirely new power system and a new hull design for amphibious operations. Powered by one General Electric T-58-GE-6 shaft turbine rated at 1050 s.h.p., the S-62 can carry upto eleven passengers with provision for a crew of two and the S-62 can be rapidly converted for cargo carriage.
| Country of origin | U.S.A. |
| Performance | Max. speed 109 m.p.h. (175 km./hr ) |
| Max. inclined climb rate 1,380 ft./min. (421 m/min.) | |
| Hovering ceiling (o.g.e.) 8,000 feet (2,439 m.) | |
| Service ceiling 15,700 feet (4,897 m.) | |
| Normal range (10% reserves) 270 miles (434 km.) | |
| Weights | Empty 4,789 lb. (2,174 kg.) |
| Loaded 7,500 lb. (3,406 kg.) | |
| Dimensions | Rotor diameter 53 feet (16.15 m.) |
| Fuselage length 44 ft. 7 in. (13.57 m.) | |
| Overall height 14 ft. 2 in. (4.32 m.) |
