CH-53 Sea Stallion
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The Sikorsky S-65 is a heavy transport helicopter originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, who designated it the CH-53 Sea Stallion.
Much of the design was derived from the Sikorsky S-64. First flight was on 14 October 1964, with deliveries of the CH-53A beginning in 1966 eventually totalling 139.
The US Air Force ordered HH-53B and HH-53C variants for search and rescue work.
The CH-53E Super Stallion is a larger version with three engines, first delivered in 1981.
On special forces missions they often work alongside a MC-130 (a converted C-130 Hercules) that provides C3 and inflight refueling.
Due to its large size and troop capacity, aerial accidents that involve CH-53 helicopters were the deadliest helicopter accidents ever. In "The Helicopter Catastrophe" [1] (http://www.iaf.org.il/Templates/Aircraft/Aircraft.IN.aspx?lang=EN&lobbyID=69&folderID=82&subfolderID=208&docfolderID=208&docID=18304), that happened on 4 February 1997 in Israel, the death toll was 73 people from 2 CH-53 helicopters. On 10 May 1977, 54 people were killed in a similar accident, also in Israel.
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Variants
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- YCH-53A - two prototypes
- CH-53A - initial production for USMC, 139 built
- RH-53A - mine countermeasures versions, 15 built
- TH-53A - stripped CH-53As used for training
- HH-53B - CH-53A type for USAF search and rescue
- CH-53C - heavy-lift version for USAF, 22 built
- HH-53C - "Super Jolly Green Giant", improved HH-53B for USAF
- S-65C-2 - export version for Austria, later to Israel
- S-65-C3 - export version for Israel
- CH-53D - CH-53A with improved transmission, 124 built
- RH-53D - improved anti-mine version
- VH-53D - two CH-53Ds for USMC VIP transport
- CH-53G - 110 built by VFW under license
- YHH-53H - prototype Pave Low I craft
- HH-53H - Pave Low III night infiltrator
- MH-53H - redesignation of HH-53H
- MH-53J - "Pave Low III Enhanced", several older types converted
- CH-53D Yas'ur 2000 - CH-53D upgraded and improved by the IAI to extend life span beyond 2000
For CH-53E variants see CH-53E Super Stallion.
Specifications
Specifications (CH-53D)
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Capacity:
- Length (overall): 26.9 m (88 ft 2.45 in)
- Width (fuselage): 4.7 m (15 ft 6 in)
- Height: 7.6 m (24 ft 11 in)
- Rotor diameter: 6.71 m² (72.23 ft²)
- Empty: 10,740 kg (23,628 lb)
- Loaded: 15,227 kg (33,500 lb)
- Maximum takeoff: 16,677 kg (36,693 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 General Electric T64-GE-413, 2,928 kW (3,925 shp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: km/h ( knots)
- Range: km ( nautical miles)
- Service ceiling: 5,106 m (16,750 ft)
- Rate of climb: 750 m/min (2,460 ft/min)
Armament
External link
- Navy.mil - Standard Aircraft Characteristics: CH-53D (http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/ch-53d.pdf)