CH-53E Super Stallion

USMC CH-50E Super Stallion

The CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift transport helicopter based around the Sikorsky S-80 and operated by the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

Along with the CH-46E, the CH-53E is one of the USMC's main haulers of men and supplies. Up to 55 full-laden troops can be accommodated within the Super Stallion's spacious cabin. A hydraulic rear ramp allows for rapid loading/un-loading of men and supplies.

The CH-53E is a gigantic beast. It features a 7-blade main rotor assembly, powered by 3 T64-GE-416 turboshafts. The down-draft created by the main rotors is enough to knock grown men off their feet and has earned the CH-53E the nickname of 'the hurricane maker'.

The CH-53E is packed with a host of advanced navigation, flight control and defensive countermeasures. For self-defense and landing-zone suppression, the CH-53E has gun mounts on the rear ramp and 2 side ports, usually fitted with .50 cal machine guns.

Amongst other missions, the USMC CH-46Es flew into action in Bosnia, where, in 1995, they flew a daring rescue operation to rescue a downed USAF fighter pilot. The CH-53Es, escorted by AH-1W Cobras, dodged Serbian SAMs to extract the pilot, which they succeeded in doing.

The US Navy flies the MH-53E which is a S-80 with provision for more internal fuel capacity and a host of avionics suited to its tole of mine hunting.

CH-53E Super Stallion Specifications

The CH-53E can carry up to 16,330 kg of underslung loads.

Crew	Pilot, Co-pilot + 3 crew chiefs/gunners
Engines	3 x General Electric T64-GE-416 turboshafts (3266kW)
Dimensions	L - 20.47m W (rotor diameter) -24.08m H - 7.6m
Weights	15,071 kg (empty) 33,339 kg (max loadout)
Max Speed	315 kph
Range	2075 km - with external fuel pods
Armament	3 gun ports (port/starboard and rear ramp) : 7.62mm M240D and/or .50 M2 machine guns
Avionics	AN/ALQ-157 Infra Red Jammer AN/APN-171 Radar Altimeter AN/APQ-126 Terrain Following Radar AN/AAQ-16B FLIR AN/APN-217 Doppler Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS) Helicopter Night Vision System (HNVS) Automatic Flight Control System

ch-53e super stallions stowed on carrier

Folding rotors allow for stowing in the cramped confines of US aircraft carriers.

The Super Stallion is routinely armed with .50 caliber belt-fed machine guns.

CH-53E FEATURES

hydraulic rear ramp
in-flight refueling via telescopic probe
doppler & GPS navigation
folding main rotors and tail boom
infra-red suppressors fitted to engine exhaust pipes reduce the helicopter's heat signature
infra-red jammers and flare launchers to confuse heat-seeking missiles
radar warning receivers and chaff-launchers to protect against radar-homing threats
strategically-placed titanium and kevlar armour plating
retractable landing gear

US Marine Corps (USMC) CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters take off from a US Amphibious Warfare ship in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. With each helicopter carrying up to 55 Marines,a fleet of CH-53Es can airlift a lot of men into battle in a short amount of time.

DOD photo by: PH1 JEFFREY TRUETT, USN

INTERNAL LINKS
photos :
ch-53e super stallions

EXTERNAL LINKS
Sikorsky Helicopters - info on the CH-53 series of helicopters