Online Encyclopedia
CH-53E Super Stallion
| CH-53 Super Stallion | ||
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| Description | ||
| Role | Heavy lift helicopter | |
| Crew | 3 (2 pilots, crew chief) + 55 troops | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 99 ft 1.2 in (overall) 73 ft 4 in (fuselage) |
30.2 m m 23.55 m |
| Width (Fuselage) | ||
| Height | 27 ft 9 in | 8.46 m |
| Rotor diameter | 79 ft | 24.1 m |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 33,226 lb | 15,071 kg |
| Loaded | ||
| Maximum take-off | 69,750 lb (internal) 73,500 lb (external) |
31,640 kg 33,340 kg |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 3 General Electric T64-GE-416 turboshaft | |
| Power | 4,380 shp (each) | |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 196 mph | 315 km/h |
| Combat range | 115 mi | 185 km |
| Ferry range | ||
| Service ceiling | 18,500 ft | 5,640 m |
| Rate of climb | 2,500 ft/min | 762 m/min |
| Armament | ||
| Two window mounted XM-2 50 Caliber Machine Guns | ||
| Chaff and Flare Dispensers | ||
Designated S-80E internally by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the Marine CH-53E Super Stallion, and the Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon are the largest and heaviest helicopters in the United States military. The base model CH-53E serves both the Navy and Marines in the heavy lift transport role. It is capable of lifting heavy equipment including the 8 wheeled Stryker Light Armored Vehicle, the 198mm cannon with amunition and crew, and can recover all other Marine corps aircraft except for the KC-130. The less common MH-53E fills the Navy's need for long range mine sweeping missions. It features enlarged side mounted fuel sponsons and is rigged for towing its mine sweeping "sled" from high above the dangerous naval mines. Currently under development is the CH-53X, which will be equipped with three of the more powerful 4750 hp T64-GE-417 engines.
The three engined S-80E is a much larger, more powerful aircraft than the original Sikorski "S-65" twin engined CH-53A. Variants of the original Sea Stallion include the CH-53D, MH-53 Pave Low, CH-53G, HH-53C, and the MH-53J PAVE LOW III. The CH-53D added more powerful engines and external fuel tanks. The RH-53A was used by the Navy for mine sweeping. The CH-53G was produced in West Germany for the German Army. The Air Force's HH-53B and HH-53C "Super Jolly Green Giant" was first deployed during the Vietnam War for special operations and combat rescue. The Air Force's CH-53J PAVE LOW III was the last of the twin engined CH-53's and is equipped with extensive avionics for all weather operation.
The Super Stallion variation first entered service in 1981 with the creation of Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 464 HMH-464 in New River North Carolina. Two more squadrons were created in Tustin, California over the next several years, the HMH-465 and HMH-466 . In addition, one west coast training squadron, HMT-301 , was given several Super Stallions. Since then, other Marine Heavy lift squadrons have retired their CH-53A's and D's, replacing them with E's. Currently about 100 CH-53E helicopters are in service with the Marines and another 15 MH-53Es are in service with the U.S Navy. Additionally, a number of MH-53 helicopters have been exported to Japan as the S-80-M-1 as part of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
Some of the roles fulfilled by the Marines' CH-53's and CH-46 Sea Knights will be transferred to the V-22 Osprey, but ongoing problems with the Osprey project have extended the longevity of the older aircraft.
Combat experience
During Operation Desert Storm, MH-53E Sea Dragons were used for mine clearing operations in the Persian Gulf off Kuwait. Several CH-53Es also assisted in other special operations during the operation.
In 1991, several CH-53Es along with several CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters were sent to Mogadishu, Somalia to evacuate U.S. and foreign nationals from the U.S. embassy during the Somalian Civil War.
External link
| Related content | |
|---|---|
| Related Development | MH-53 Pave Low |
| Similar Aircraft | Mi-8 Hip |
| Designation Series |
QH-50 - XH-51 - HH-52 - CH-53 - CH-54 - TH-55 - AH-56 |
| Related Lists |
List of military aircraft of the United States - List of helicopters |
| List of Aircraft | Aircraft Manufacturers | Aircraft Engines | Aircraft Engine Manufacturers Airlines | Air Forces | Aircraft Weapons | Missiles | Timeline of aviation |