Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion

Designated S-80E internally by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion, and the Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon are the largest and heaviest helicopters in the United States military.

Development

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 LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle (but not the U.S. Army Stryker, which is too heavy), the M198 155mm Howitzer with ammunition 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 or Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) 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-53K, formerly known as the Heavy Lift Replacement, which will be equipped with three 6000 shp-class turboshaft engines and new composite rotor blades.

Although dimensionally similar, the three engined S-80E is a much more powerful aircraft than the original Sikorsky "S-65" twin engined CH-53A Sea Stallion. 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 included a more powerful version of the General Electric T64 engine, used in all H-53 variants, 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 MH-53J Pave Low III and MH-53M Pave Low IV were the last of the twin engined H-53's and were equipped with extensive avionics upgrades 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 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Some of the roles fulfilled by the Marines' older CH-53D'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.

CH-53 helicopters arrived to the Israeli Air Force in August 1968 and were given the Hebrew name: Yas'ur (Petrel). Since then, they are the main cargo helicopters of the IAF, carrying both troops and heavy equipment. During the 1980's the Israeli Aircraft Industries, along with military high-tech firm Elbit, upgraded and improved the IAF Yas'ur fleet. The project - which ended only in 1997 improved the CH-53 avionics, robustness and extended its life span by at least two decades.

Transport

The CH-53E and the MH-53E are the largest helicopters in the Western world, coming only second in the world to the Russian Mi-26 which can lift more than 20 tonnes. The CH-53E can transport up to 55 troops or 14,515kg of cargo and has an external load lift system that allows the helicopter to carry underslung loads up to 16,330kg. The Super Stallion has a cruise speed of 278km/h and a maximum unrefuelled range of 2,000km. The Super Stallion can extend its range and endurance by in flight refuelling. The helicopter is fitted with a forward extendable in-flight refuelling probe and it can also hoist hose refuel from a surface ship whilst in hover mode.

The MH-53s can operate from carriers and other warships. The Sea Dragon is capable of carrying up to 55 troops or a 16-ton payload 50 nautical miles or a 10-ton payload 500 nautical miles.

Combat experience

The Marine Corps CH-53E saw it's first shipboard deployment in 1983 when four CH-53E helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopters Squadron 464 (HMH-464) deployed aboard the USS Iwo Jima as part of Marine Amphibious Unit 24 (24th MAU). During this deployment Marines were sent ashore in Beirut Lebanon as peace keepers and established permeters at and near the Beirut International Airport. On 23 October 1983 a terrorist truck bomb 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, with the CH-53E averaging over 1000 accident free flight hours, per month, per aircraft.

In 1989, Yas'urs were used to fight a huge blaze on Mount Carmel. They dumped 700 tons of water on the fire's centers, and succeeded in dousing it after carrying out dozens of low flyovers into the smoke and flames.

During Operation Desert Storm, MH-53E shipboard based Sea Dragons were used for mine clearing operations in the Persian Gulf off Kuwait. Several land based squadrons of Marine Corps CH-53Es, including HMH-464, were deployed to forward areas in the Saudi desert near the Irqi border. During Operation Desert Storm theses aircraft provided critical forward combat support in roles ranging from troop and cargo delivery, to special operations support.

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.

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 assissted in moving casualties back to the rear for follow on care.

In the early morning hours of January 26th, 2005 a CH-53E used in the transport of 30 Marines from the 1st Marine Division and 1 sailor for election purposes crashed in Rutbah, Iraq, killing all on board. A sandstorm has been determined as the cause of the accident. This incident was the main fatal event in one of the single bloodiest day for the U.S. military since an explosion ripped through a gun turret on the USS Iowa during a training exercise in the Caribbean in April 1989, killing 47 sailors.

Specifications (CH-53E)

General characteristics

Crew: 3 (2 pilots, crew chief)
Capacity: 55 troops

Performance Armament

2x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) window-mounted XM-218 machine guns
1x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) ramp mounted weapons system, GAU-21 with M3M mounted machine gun
Chaff and flare dispensers

Trivia

Sailors commonly refer to the Super Stallion as the "Hurricane Maker" because of the downward thrust the helicopter generates.

External links

Fas.org: CH-53/MH-53
CH-53 Yas'ur (Israeli Air Force website)