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Transport helicopter series by Sikorsky From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy lift helicopter operated by the United States military. As the Sikorsky S-80, it was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, adding a seventh blade to the main rotor, and canting the tail rotor 20°. It was built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps. Developed in the 1970s, it entered service in 1981, and is planned to be in service into the 2030s. It is one of the largest helicopters, and military helicopters in service, and is operated from U.S. Navy ships or from land.
| CH-53E Super Stallion MH-53E Sea Dragon | |
|---|---|
| A CH-53E Super Stallion with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit | |
| General information | |
| Type | Heavy-lift cargo helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | United States Marine Corps |
| Number built | 172[1][2][3] |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1978–1980s[citation needed] |
| Introduction date | 1981 |
| First flight | 1 March 1974 |
| Developed from | Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion |
| Developed into | Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion |
The Navy also operates the MH-53E Sea Dragon which fills the United States Navy's need for long-range minesweeping or airborne mine countermeasures missions, and performs heavy-lift duties for the Navy. The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, which has new engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin, is set to replace the CH-53E and enter service in the 2020s. Most of the Super Stallions in service are configured as MH-53E Sea Dragons.
The CH-53 was the product of the U.S. Marines' "Heavy Helicopter Experimental" (HH(X)) competition begun in 1962. Sikorsky's S-65 was selected over Boeing Vertol's modified CH-47 Chinook version. The prototype YCH-53A first flew on 14 October 1964.[4] The helicopter was designated "CH-53A Sea Stallion" and delivery of production helicopters began in 1966.[5] The first CH-53As were powered by two General Electric T64-GE-6 turboshaft engines with 2,850 shp (2,125 kW) and had a maximum gross weight of 46,000 lb (20,865 kg), including 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) in the payload.
Variants of the original CH-53A Sea Stallion include the RH-53A/D, HH-53B/C, CH-53D, CH-53G, and MH-53H/J/M. The RH-53A and RH-53D were used by the US Navy for minesweeping. The CH-53D included a more powerful version of the General Electric T64 engine, used in all H-53 variants, and external fuel tanks. The CH-53G was a version of the CH-53D produced in West Germany for the German Army.[4]
The U.S. Air Force's HH-53B/C "Super Jolly Green Giant" was for special operations and combat rescue, and was first deployed during the Vietnam War. The Air Force's MH-53H/J/M Pave Low helicopters were the last of the twin-engined H-53s and were equipped with extensive avionics upgrades for all-weather operation.
In October 1967, the US Marine Corps issued a requirement for a helicopter with a lifting capacity 1.8 times that of the CH-53D that would fit on amphibious warfare ships. The US Navy and US Army were also seeking similar helicopters at the time. Before the issue of the requirement, Sikorsky had been working on an enhancement to the CH-53D, under the company designation "S-80", featuring a third turboshaft engine and a more powerful rotor system. Sikorsky proposed the S-80 design to the Marines in 1968. The Marines liked the idea, since it promised to deliver a good solution quickly, and funded the development of a testbed helicopter for evaluation.[6]
In 1970, against pressure by the US Defense Secretary to take the Boeing Vertol XCH-62 being developed for the Army, the Navy and Marines were able to show the Army's helicopter was too large to operate on landing ships and were allowed to pursue their helicopter.[6] Prototype testing investigated the addition of a third engine and a larger rotor system with a seventh blade in the early 1970s. In 1974, the initial YCH-53E first flew.[7]
Changes on the CH-53E also include a stronger transmission and a fuselage stretched 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m). The main rotor blades were changed to a titanium-fiberglass composite.[6] The tail configuration was also changed. The low-mounted, symmetrical, horizontal tail was replaced by a larger, vertical tail, and the tail rotor tilted from the vertical to provide some lift in hover while counteracting the main rotor torque. Also added was a new automatic flight control system.[7] The digital flight control system prevented the pilot from overstressing the aircraft.[6]
YCH-53E testing showed that it could lift 17.8 tons (to a 50-foot (15 m) wheel height), and without an external load, could reach 170 knots (310 km/h) at a 56,000-pound gross weight. This led to two preproduction aircraft and a static test article being ordered. At this time, the tail was redesigned to include a high-mounted, horizontal surface opposite the rotor with an inboard section perpendicular to the tail rotor then at the strut connection cants 20° to horizontal.[7] This helps with a tilt at high speed.[citation needed]
The initial production contract was awarded in 1978, and service introduction followed in February 1981.[6] The first production CH-53E flew in December 1980.[7] The US Navy acquired the CH-53E in small numbers for shipboard resupply. The Marines and Navy acquired a total of 177.[6]
The base-model CH-53E serves both the US Navy and Marines in the heavy-lift transport role. It is capable of lifting heavy equipment, including the eight-wheeled LAV-25 light armored vehicle and the M198 155 mm Howitzer with ammunition and crew. The Super Stallion can recover aircraft up to its size, which includes all Marine Corps aircraft except for the KC-130.
By 2017, the CH-53E reportedly required 40 maintenance hours per flight hour due to aging parts, lack of available new replacement parts, and the extension of the overall airframe lifetime.[8]
_15_conducts_a_mine_sweeping_exercise.jpg)
The Navy requested a version of the CH-53E for the airborne mine countermeasures role, designated "MH-53E Sea Dragon". It has enlarged sponsons to provide substantially greater fuel storage and endurance. It also retained the in-flight refueling probe and could be fitted with up to seven 300-US-gallon (1136-liter) ferry tanks internally. The MH-53E digital flight-control system includes features specifically designed to help tow minesweeping gear.[6] The prototype MH-53E made its first flight on 23 December 1981. MH-53E was used by the Navy beginning in 1986. The MH-53E is capable of in-flight refueling and can be refueled at hover.[7] The MH-53E Sea Dragon is also used for heavy vertical delivery. The Helicopters are still in service as of the 2020s.[9]
Additionally, a number of MH-53E helicopters were exported to Japan as the S-80-M-1 for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The MH-53E is tasked with mine hunting, sweeping, clearing, and can use specialized equipment such as towed rigs. With the helicopter's heavy lift abilities, it can also be used for ship-to-shore transport and vertical on-board delivery (VOD).[10]
The US Marine Corps had been planning to upgrade most of their CH-53Es to keep them in service, but this plan stalled. Sikorsky then proposed a new version, originally the "CH-53X", and in April 2006, the USMC signed a contract for 156 aircraft as the "CH-53K".[11][12] The Marines planned to start retiring CH-53Es in 2009 and needed new helicopters quickly.[13] In August 2007, the USMC increased its CH-53K order to 227 helicopters.[14] Their first flight was planned for November 2011.[15] On 4 December 2012, Sikorsky delivered the first CH-53K, a Ground Test Vehicle (GTV) airframe.[16]
The United States Marine Corps plans to receive 200 helicopters at a total cost of $25 billion. Ground Test Vehicle (GTV) testing started in April 2014; flight testing began with the maiden flight on 27 October 2015. In May 2018, the first CH-53K was delivered to the Marine Corps.[17]
The U.S. Marine Corps received its first CH-53K simulator at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on 1 May 2020. It is a Containerized Flight Training Device (CFTD) built by Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky's parent company.[18]
On 22 April 2022, Lt. General Mark R. Wise, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, declared initial operational capability for the CH-53K.[17] By February 2023, nearly 20 CH-53K King Stallions have been produced.[needs update?][19]
Although dimensionally similar, the three-engined CH-53E Super Stallion is a much more powerful aircraft than the original Sikorsky S-65 twin-engined CH-53A Sea Stallion. The CH-53E also added a larger main rotor system with a seventh blade.
The CH-53E was designed for transporting up to 55 troops with the installation of seats along the cabin center line or 30,000 lb (13,610 kg) of cargo, and can carry externally slung loads up to 36,000 lb (16,330 kg).[6] The CH-53E has incorporated the same crash-attenuating seats as the MV-22B to increase the survivability of passengers, but reduced its troop transport capacity to 30.[citation needed] The Super Stallion has a cruise speed of 173 mph (278 km/h) and a range of 621 miles (1,000 km).[20] The helicopter is fitted with a forward-extendable in-flight refueling probe. It can carry three machine guns, one at the starboard side crew door; one at the port window, just behind the copilot; and a firing position on the tail ramp.[citation needed] The CH-53E also has chaff-flare dispensers.[6]
The MH-53E features enlarged side-mounted fuel sponsons, and is rigged for towing various minesweeping and hunting gear from above the dangerous naval mines. The Sea Dragon can be equipped for minesweeping and cargo and passenger transportation. Its digital flight-control system includes features specifically designed to help towing minesweeping gear.[6]
In addition, the CH-53E has been upgraded to include the helicopter night vision system, improved .50 BMG (12.7 mm) GAU-21/A and M3P machine guns, and AAQ-29A forward-looking infrared imager.[6]
The CH-53E and the MH-53E were the largest helicopters in the Western world, until the CH-53K. They are fourth in the world to the Russian Mil Mi-26 Halo single-rotor helicopter and the enormous, twin transverse-rotored Mil V-12 Homer prototype, which could lift more than 22 tons (20 tonnes) and 44 tons (40 tonnes), respectively and the Mi-26's single-rotor predecessor Mil Mi-6, which has less payload (12 tonnes), but is bigger and has a higher MTOW at 42 tonnes.[citation needed] Another heavy lift helicopter family is the CH-47 Chinook, which has a twin-tandem rotor configuration, with two engines. However, it is smaller than the Super Stallion.
In comparison of the largest lifting helicopters include the Mil Mi-26 has a maximum takeoff weight of 56,000 kg (123,000 lb) and can lift up to 20,000 kg (44,000 lb) externally, the King Stallion which has a MTOW of 38,600 kg (85,000 lb) and can lift up to 16,329 kg (36,000 lb) externally, the Mil-10, with and MTOW of 28,200 kg (62,170 lb) and can lift up to 12,000 kg (26,460 lb), the Chinook, at 22,680 kg (50,000 lb) and can lift up to 9,000 kg (20,000 lb) externally, and Mi-6, at 42,000 kg (92,594 lb) and can lift up to 12,000 kg (26,460 lb), the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma can lift 9,800 kg (21,605 lb) and can lift up to 4,800 kg (10,582 lb) externally.[21]
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2015) |
The CH-53E Super Stallion first flew in 1974, a further development of the already developed CH-53 Sea Stallion, it would enter service 1981 with United States military.[22] The helicopter was also used by the JASDF for many years.
_CH-53E_Super_Stallion_helicopter_in_flight_-_DPLA_-_03ef40fa0a64c387c3d5d7f554937278.jpeg)
The CH-53E Super Stallion entered service in 1981 with the United States Marine Corps.[23][22]
The Super Stallion variant first entered service with the creation of Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 464 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. Two more squadrons were created at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California, over the next several years, HMH-465 and HMH-466. In addition, one West Coast training squadron, HMT-301, was given Super Stallions as was one more East Coast squadron, HMH-772, out of a reserve base at NASJRB Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Since then, other Marine heavy-lift squadrons have retired their CH-53As and Ds, replacing them with Es.
The Marine Corps CH-53E had its first shipboard deployment in 1983 when four CH-53E helicopters from HMH-464 deployed aboard USS Iwo Jima as part of the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit (24th MAU).[citation needed] During this deployment, Marines were sent ashore in Beirut, Lebanon, as peacekeepers, and established perimeters at and near the Beirut International Airport. On 23 October 1983, a truck bomb detonated by terrorists destroyed the Marine barracks in Beirut, killing nearly 240 service members as they slept. CH-53E helicopters from the 24th MAU provided critical combat support during this operation.
,_USA_-_Navy_AN1241427.jpg)
In 1991, two CH-53Es, along with several CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, were sent to evacuate U.S. and foreign nationals from the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia—Operation Eastern Exit—as violence enveloped the city during the Somalian Civil War.[24]
During Operation Desert Storm, MH-53E shipboard-based Sea Dragons were used for mine-clearing operations in the Persian Gulf off Kuwait.
On 8 June 1995, Captain Scott O'Grady, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot shot down over Bosnia, was rescued by two CH-53Es.[25]
In March 1997, CH-53E Super Stallions participated in the evacuation of nearly 900 American citizens and other civilians in Tirana, Albania as part of a non-combatant evacuation Operation Silver Wake.[26]
On 26 October 2001, three CH-53Es aboard USS Peleliu and three CH-53Es aboard USS Bataan flew 550 miles (890 km) to secure the first land base in Afghanistan, Camp Rhino, with 1100 troops at its peak.[27] This amphibious raid is the longest amphibious raid in history. The long-range capability of the CH-53Es enabled Marines to establish a southern base in Afghanistan, putting the war on the ground.[citation needed]
Super Stallions again played a major role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. They were critical to moving supplies and ammunition to the most forward Marine units and also assisted in moving casualties back to the rear for follow-on care. Marine CH-53Es and CH-46Es carried US Army Rangers and Special Operations troops on a mission to rescue captured Army Private Jessica Lynch on 1 April 2003.[28]
As of 2014[update], about 150 CH-53E helicopters were in service with the Marines and another 28 MH-53Es were in service with the U.S Navy. The CH-53 requires 44 maintenance hours per flight hour. A flight hour costs about $20,000.[29]
In 2019, the CH-53E fleet of the USMC achieved one million flight hours since 1981.[23]
As of the 2020s, the MH-53 Sea Dragons are still in service as are CH-53 Super Stallions, and during a recent grounding the V-22 Osprey, Sea Stallions saw increased use.[30][9]
Ongoing maintenance programs have helped extend the service life of the Super Stallion fleet, which is intended to be in service at least until the 2030s.[31]
| This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2015) |
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_Helicopter_Mine_Squadron_111_land.jpg)
Between 1969 and 1990, more than 200 servicemen were killed in accidents involving the CH-53A, CH-53D, and CH-53E.[47]
The MH-53E Sea Dragon is the U.S. Navy's helicopter with the highest accident rate, with 27 deaths from 1984 to 2008. During that time, its rate of class A mishaps, meaning serious damage or loss of life, was 5.96 per 100,000 flight hours, more than twice the Navy helicopter average of 2.26.[48] An independent investigation reported that between 1984 and 2019, 132 people died in accidents on the Navy and Marine versions of this helicopter.[49] A 2005 lawsuit alleged that since 1993, at least 16 in-flight fires or thermal incidents involved the number-two engine on Super Stallion helicopters. The suit claimed that proper changes were not made, nor were crews instructed on emergency techniques.[50][51]
_15,_performs_mine_countermeasure_training_using_the_MK-105_sled.jpg)
Data from U.S. Navy history,[87] International Directory,[5] World Aircraft[88]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
The documentary Who Killed Lt. Van Dorn? examines the 2014 Sea Dragon crash off Cape Henry, Virginia, and the larger maintenance and command problems surrounding the CH-53E fleet.[92][93]
_receive_fuel_from_a_KC-130_Hercules.jpg)
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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