Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military. As the Sikorsky S-80, it was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, adding a seventh blade to the main rotor, and canting the tail rotor 20°. It was built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps. The less common MH-53E Sea Dragon fills the United States Navy's need for long-range minesweeping or airborne mine countermeasures missions, and performs heavy-lift duties for the Navy. The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, which has new engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin, is set to replace the CH-53E and is beginning to enter service in the 2020s, but most of the Super Stallions are still in service as are the MH-53E Sea Dragons.
Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
The YCH-53E on its first flight, 1 March 1974; note that the horizontal stabilizer differs from the production version
A production CH-53E during a flight demonstration showing the three engines and the tail rotor pylon
An MH-53E Sea Dragon from HM-15 during a minesweeping exercise, 2007
Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is an American family of heavy-lift transport helicopters designed and built by the American manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft. The Sea Stallion was originally developed in response to a request from the United States Navy's Bureau of Naval Weapons made in March 1962 for a replacement for the Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave helicopters flown by the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion
The YCH-53A prototype, 1964
HMH-362 CH-53Ds landing
CH-53 Sea Stallion recovers a disabled UH-60