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Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion

History of the Super Stallion Sikorsky CH-53E

The massive Sikorsky CH-53E "Super Stallion" heavy transport helicopter was developed from the original CH-53 "Sea Stallion" to meet the new requirements of the US Marine Corps in the late 1960s. Development spanned the 1970s, and the aircraft officially entered the U.S. military stockpile in 1981. At the time of writing (November 2013), the CH-53E is still in service, albeit in an improved and refined form, becoming the Sikorsky CH 53K "Super Stallion". The CH-53K will primarily serve the U.S.

Marine Corps in the same heavy duty role as the current CH-53E brand.

The heavy duty classification of the CH-53E calls for a very large airframe and powerful power output, and the Super Stallion does not disappoint. There is no doubt that the aircraft is a large fuselage of clean lines, streamlined shapes and respectable proportions. The fuselage is a board-side fuselage, but contains a round nose section and an integral tailstock. The front sports section consists of transparent screens to promote good visibility outside the cockpit. The passenger/cargo compartment is located directly aft of the cockpit, below the main rotor housing and the third of the three engine units.

The remaining two engines remained outside the sides of the fuselage. The aircraft uses a raised tail seat to allow access to the interior cargo compartment. Capacity includes seating for up to 55 people.

In addition to its capabilities, the CH-53E has been shown to carry around 30,000 pounds of internal storage and an additional 36,000 pounds suspended beneath the aircraft (8x8 armored vehicles or 155mm towed guns are common examples). ). A typical operator consists of five personnel, including two pilots, a crew chief (who also serves as the right hand gunner), a dedicated left hand gunner, and a dedicated rear gunner at the loading dock. Typical weapons include 2 x 12.7mm GAU-15/A series heavy machine guns on the side windows and a single 12.7mm GAU-21 series heavy machine gun system on the loading dock.

Self-defense can be encouraged by carrying an integrated chaff and flare dispenser system to deter incoming radar/missile threats.

The CH-53E was born in 1967 at the initiative of the USMC to create a new heavy lifting solution beyond its existing CH-53D model. Sikorsky was already working on an improved version of the same brand, and in 1968 sold the S-80 model for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The prototype became the "YCH-53E" and made its maiden flight on March 1, 1974. Compared to the original CH-53 of the Vietnam War, the improved CH-53E used a third engine and added a seventh blade. Its enlarged main rotor system greatly improves performance and handling.

The YCH-53E prototype was subsequently completed in its final form, the CH-53E "Super Stallion", with 170 production prototypes produced and commissioned in 1981. Another 50 prototypes were built from the modified Sikorsky S-80M model under the MH-53E.

Sea Dragon" as the US Navy's mine countermeasure platform. The VH-53F designation was reserved for the planned but ultimately unbuilt presidential VIP personnel carrier. Another reserved designation became the Sikorsky S-80E, intended for export customers Transport aircraft - not built.

Likewise, the Sikorsky S-80M represents an export anti-mine version, 11 of which were adopted by Japan.

A total of 234 CH-53Es have been built to date (2013). The CH-53E is also the basis for the aforementioned heavily modified CH-53K "Super Stallion," which is being developed for the U.S. Marine Corps and is expected to be launched in 2018.

The CH-53K will feature a larger cargo/passenger area, new engines and new composite main rotor blades, continuing the US Marine Corps' role as a heavy-duty helicopter for decades to come.

Currently (2013) there are only two CH-53E operators in the world - USA and Japan. For the U.S., the CH-53E is in service with the U.S. Marine Corps and the Navy, with the U.S. Marine Corps in 9 squadrons and the U.S. Navy in 4 squadrons.

The CH-53E in service in Japan flies with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). These platforms have proven to be very valuable in a variety of mission areas, although their maintenance requirements are as high as operating costs.

While in service, the CH-53E has served in Beirut, Somalia, the Persian Gulf (Operation Desert Storm), Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom), and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom).