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Sikorsky CH-53E Sea Dragon
1998 Panama City, Florida
A CH-53 Sea Dragon is lifting a mine sled Mk 105 for further testing in the Gulf of Mexico. The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military. Sailors commonly refer to the Super Stallion as the "Hurricane Maker" because of the downward thrust the helicopter generates. It was built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps. The less common MH-53E Sea Dragon fills the Navy's need for long range mine sweeping or Airborne Mine countermeasures (AMCM) missions, and performs heavy-lift duties for the Navy. The first CH-53As were powered by two General Electric T64-GE-6 turboshaft engines with 2,850 shp (2,125 kW) and had a max gross weight of 46,000 lb (20,865 kg) including 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) in payload. Variants of the original CH-53A Sea Stallion include the RH-53A/D, HH-53B/C, CH-53D, CH-53G, and MH-53H/J/M. The RH-53A and RH-53D were used by the US Navy for mine sweeping. n October 1967, the US Marine Corps issued a requirement for a helicopter with a lifting capacity 1.8 times that of the CH-53D that would fit on amphibious assault vessels. The US Navy and US Army were also seeking similar helicopters at the time. Before issue of the requirement Sikorsky had been working on an enhancement to the CH-53D, under the company designation "S-80", featuring a third turboshaft engine and a more powerful rotor system. Sikorsky proposed the S-80 design to the Marines in 1968. The Marines liked the idea since it promised to deliver a good solution quickly, and funded development of a testbed helicopter for evaluation.
Prototype testing investigated the addition of a third engine and a larger rotor system with a seventh blade in the early 1970s. In 1974, the initial YCH-53E first flew. Changes on the CH-53E also include a stronger transmission and a fuselage stretched 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m). The main rotor blades were changed to a titanium-fiberglass composite. The tail configuration was also changed. The low-mounted symmetrical horizontal tail was replaced by a larger vertical tail and the tail rotor tilted from the vertical to provide some lift in hover while counteracting the main rotor torque. Also added was a new automatic flight control system. The digital flight control system prevented the pilot from overstressing the aircraft. YCH-53E testing showed that it could lift 17.8 tons (to a 50-foot wheel height), and without an external load, could reach 170 knots at a 56,000 pound gross weight. This led to two preproduction aircraft and a static test article being ordered. At this time the tail was redesigned to include a high-mounted, horizontal surface opposite the rotor with an inboard section perpendicular to the tail rotor then at the strut connection cants 20 degrees to horizontal. The initial production contract was awarded in 1978, and service introduction followed in February 1981. The first production CH-53E flew in December 1980. The US Navy acquired the CH-53E in small numbers for shipboard resupply. The Marines and Navy acquired a total of 177. The Navy requested a version of the CH-53E for the airborne mine countermeasures role, designated "MH-53E Sea Dragon". It has enlarged sponsons to provide substantially greater fuel storage and endurance. It also retained the in-flight refueling probe, and could be fitted with up to seven 300 US gallon (1,136 liter) ferry tanks internally. The MH-53E digital flight-control system includes features specifically designed to help tow minesweeping gear. The prototype MH-53E made its first flight on 23 December 1981. MH-53E was used by the Navy beginning in 1986. The MH-53E is capable of in-flight refueling and can be refueled at hover. The Navy obtained a total of 46 Sea Dragons and is converting the remaining RH-53Ds back to the transport role. The base model CH-53E serves both the US Navy and Marines in the heavy lift transport role. It is capable of lifting heavy equipment including the eight-wheeled LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle, the M198 155 mm Howitzer with ammunition and crew, and can recover all other Marine corps aircraft except for the KC-130. Although dimensionally similar, the three engine CH-53E Super Stallion or Sikorsky "S-80" is a much more powerful aircraft than the original Sikorsky "S-65" twin engined CH-53A Sea Stallion. The CH-53E also added a larger main rotor system with a seventh blade.
The CH-53E can transport up to 55 troops or 30,000 lb (13,610 kg) of cargo and can carry external slung loads up to 36,000 lb (16,330 kg). The Super Stallion has a cruise speed of 173 mph (278 km/h) and a range of 621 miles (1,000 km). The helicopter is fitted with a forward extendable in-flight refueling probe and it can also hoist hose refuel from a surface ship while in hover mode. It can carry three machine guns: one at the starboard side crew door, one at the port window, just behind the copilot, and one at the tail ramp.] The CH-53E also has chaff-flare dispensers. The MH-53E features enlarged side mounted fuel sponsons and is rigged for towing its mine sweeping "sled" from high above the dangerous naval mines. The Sea Dragon is equipped with mine countermeasures systems, including twin machine guns. Its digital flight-control system includes features specifically designed to help towing mine sweeping gear. General characteristics Crew: 5: 2 pilots, 1 crew chief/right gunner, 1 left gunner, 1 tail gunner (combat crew) Capacity: 37 troops (55 with centerline seats installed) Payload: 32,000 lb (15,000 kg) Length: 99 ft 1/2 in (30.2 m) Rotor diameter: 79 ft (24 m) Height: 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m) Disc area: 4,900 ft² (460 m²) Empty weight: 33,226 lb (15,071 kg) Max takeoff weight: 73,500 lb (33,300 kg) Powerplant: 3× General Electric T64-GE-416(A) turboshaft, 4,380 shp (3,270 kW) each Rotor systems: 7 blades on main rotor. Performance: Maximum speed: 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h) Cruise speed: 150 kt (173 mph, 278 km/h) Range: 540 nmi (621 mi, 1,000 km) Ferry range: 990 nmi (1,139 mi, 1,833 km) Service ceiling 18,500 ft (5,640 m) Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (13 m/s) Armament: Guns: 2× .50 BMG (12.7 x 99 mm) window-mounted XM218 machine guns 1× .50 BMG (12.7 x 99 mm) ramp mounted weapons system, GAU-21 (M3M mounted machine gun) Other: Chaff and flare dispensers.
USN 98 René Hieronymus Scale 1:72 Building time: approx. 132 hrs.
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