Grumman HU-16 Albatross

Role:  Air-sea rescue flying boat

National Origin: United States

Manufacturer: Grumman

First Flight: 1949

Primary User: US Air Force, US Coast Guard, US Navy, Hellenic Navy

Number Built: 466

The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large twin–radial engine amphibious flying boat that was used by the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the U.S. Navy (USN) and the U.S. CoastGuard (USCG), primarily as a search and rescue and combat search and rescue aircraft. Originally designated as the SA-16 for the USAF and the JR2F-1 and UF-1 for the USN and USCG, it was redesignated as the HU-16 in 1962.

An improvement of the design of the Grumman Mallard, the Albatross was developed to land in open ocean situations to accomplish rescues. Its deep-V hull cross-section and keel length enable it to land in the open sea. The Albatross was designed for optimal 4-foot (1.2 m) seas, and could land in more severe conditions, but required JATO (jet-assisted take off, or simply booster rockets) for takeoff in 8–10-foot (2.4–3.0 m) seas or greater.