Sikorsky S-80 (CH-53E) Super Stallion and (MH-65E) Sea Dragon

TYPE:

• Heavy-duty multi-role helicopter.

PROGRAMME:

• The original CH-53D was a very capable heavy lift helicopter, but in the 1970s it was clear a even more capable helicopter could be built.
• In 1973 the Sikorsky S-65 was selected for further development as the S-80.
• In May 1973, the YCH-53E prototypes were constructed.
• The first protoype was flown on March 1, 1974.
• The first pre-production helicopters flew on December 13, 1980 and the final versions were delivered on June 16, 1981.
• The Navy planned to order 300 of these helicopters, although the total was later reduced to 177.

DESIGN FEATURES:

• The CH-53E Super Stallion is used by the USMC as a heavy lift helicopter designed to transpor material and supplies.
• This new helicopter has a lengthened fuselage, three turboshaft engines, a seven-blade main rotor with increased diameter and uprated transmission, a dual point cargo hook system, and composite tail rotor blades.
• With a single-point cargo hook rated at 16329 kg (36,000 kg), the CH-53E is suitable for combat tasks such as lifting battle-damaged aircrafts from carrier decks of the support of mobile construction battalions and for vertical onboard delivery has an internal cargo load of 13608 kg (30,000 lb).
• The CH-53E is compatible with most amphibious class ships.
• The helicopter is capable of lifting 16 tons (14.5 metric tons) at sea level, transporting the load 50 nautical miles (57.5 miles) and returning.
• A typical load would be a 16,000 pound (7264 kilogram) M198 howitzer or a 26,000 pound (11,804 kilogram) Light Armored Vehicle.
• The aircraft also can retrieve downed aircraft including other CH-53Es.
• The CH-53E is equipped with a refueling probe and can be refueled in flight giving the helicopter indefinite range.
• The helicopter seats 37 passengers in its normal configuration and has provisions to carry 55 passengers with centerline seats installed.

VERSIONS:

CH/MH-53E

• The USMC thought they could take the CH-53E one step further and created the mine countermeasures helicopter designated as the CH/MH-53E which is a conversion of the original CH-53E Super Stallion.
• The first prototype of this helicopter was first flown on December 23 1981.
• Early evaluation by the Navy resulted in the construction of a pre-production helicopter, and designated as the MH-53E and named the Sea Dragon.
• The pre-production helicopter was first flown on September 1, 1983.
• The first schelduled production model was to be delivered in 1986.
• The MH-53E can be easly identified by the large sponsons which contain additional fuel and giving the helicopter six more hours of flight.
• The MH-53E is also equipped with a refeulling probe which can be used during flight or from a surface vessel.
• Other enhancements include duplicated digital automatic flight-control systems and automatic tow couplers, which allow automatic approach to and departure from the hover.
• The MH-53 is also capable of carrying up to 55 troops or a 16-ton payload 50 nautical miles or a 10-ton payload 500 nautical miles.
• The promary task of the MH-53E is Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM).
• The MH-53E is capable of towing a variety of mine-sweeping countermeasures systems, including the Mk 105 minesweeping sleed, the ASQ-14 side-scan sonar, and the Mk 103 mechanical minesweeping system.

S-80E and S-80M

• Export versions of the CH-53E and MH-53E are offered by Sikorsky under the respective designations S-80E and S-80M. Japan has already ordered these versions.

POWER PLANT:

• Three 3266 kW (4,380 shp) General Electric T64-GE turboshafts.
• With the uprated transmission, this gave the CH-53E double the lift capability of the CH-53A/Ds even though the engine only has 50 per cent more power.