Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion

Sikorsky · United States · first flew 1974 · helicopter

The Sikorsky CH-53 is a heavy-lift transport helicopter; the three-engine CH-53E Super Stallion is the most powerful Western type, adding a seventh rotor blade and a canted tail rotor.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	3 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	30.19 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Three engine cowlings clustered around the main rotor mast
Seven-blade main rotor and large rear loading ramp
Canted tail rotor on a sloped vertical fin

The clustered third engine, seven-blade rotor, sloped fin with canted tail rotor and rear ramp mark it out as a heavy Sikorsky.

Specifications

The Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion has a length of 30.19 m (99 ft).
It has a wingspan of 24.08 m (79 ft).
Its maximum speed is 315 km/h (196 mph).
Typical crew: 5 (2 pilots plus 3 crew).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The original twin-engine CH-53A Sea Stallion first flew in 1964 for the US Marine Corps. The uprated three-engine CH-53E flew in 1974, gaining a seventh main-rotor blade and far greater lift capacity, entering service in 1981.

Variants

The family spans the twin-engine CH-53A/D Sea Stallion, the three-engine CH-53E Super Stallion, the MH-53E Sea Dragon mine-countermeasures version with enlarged sponsons, and the new-build CH-53K King Stallion successor.

Where you'll see it

It serves the US Marine Corps and Navy in heavy assault transport, vertical replenishment and mine-sweeping roles, and is operated by Germany and other allies. It is not a UK type.

Related aircraft

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