CH-53 Super Stallion

CH-53 Super Stallion
A CH-53 Super Stallion taking off from the deck of the USS Saipan (LHA-2)
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
Guns
Bombs

The CH-53 Super Stallion, the Marine MH-53E Sea Dragon and MH-53J Pave Low III are the largest and heaviest helicopters in the United States military, serving the United States Navy and Marines in the heavy lift transport role. The base model for this family is designated S-65 internally by Sikorsky.

The Sikorsky HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant", which all H-53 models are based on, were first deployed by the Air Force during the Vietnam War for special operations and combat rescue. The Super Stallion variation first entered service in 1981. Currently about 100 CH-53 helicopters are in service with the Navy and another 15 MH-53s are in service with the Marines. 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' MH-53 were supposed to be transferred to the V-22 Osprey, but ongoing problems with the Osprey project have extended the longevity of the Sea Dragons and Pave Lows.

Combat experience

During Operation Desert Storm, Super Stallions were used for mine clearing operations in the Persian Gulf off Kuwait. Several MH-53s also assisted in other special operations during the operation.

In 1991, several MH-53s 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

• Fas.org: CH-53/MH-53

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