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The MH-53E is a version of the H-53 and this is the military version of the S-65. The primary task of the MH-53E is Airborne Mine Countermeasure (AMCM). Its secondary task is shipboard delivery.
Other versions of the H-53:
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go to the end of the pageDescription: The MH-53E is a carrier-based and other warship-based helicopter. It was derived from the CH-53E Super Stallion which was less powerful and had a lower fuel capacity than his successor.
The MH-53E has a cargo capability of up to 55 troops, a 16-ton payload for a distance of 50 nautical miles or a 10-ton payload for a distance of 500 nautical miles. It is also capable of towing a variety of several mine-sweeping countermeasures systems like the Mk 105 minesweeping sleed, the ASQ-14 side-scan sonar and the Mk 103 mechanical minesweeping system.
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History: Originally, the H-53 Sea Stallion was developed for the USMC in 1962. The helicopter replaced the H-37 Mojave.
The first flight of the prototype of the H-53 took place on October 14, 1964. Since then, the helicopter has received several upgrades. For example it was equipped with a third engine and installations for in-flight refueling. The dimensions also increased.
Because of the versatility of the H-53 it can be used for various operations. Today the helicopter is used as cargo helicopter, for MCM - operations and SAR - missions.
The first deployment of this H-53 was during the Vietnam War, where these helicopters were mainly used for SAR - operations. In 1967, the first HH-53Bs arrived in Vietnam. In September 1969, the HH-53C followed. During these operations the helicopters were equipped with 7,62mm guns and a rescue winch.
These first SAR helicopters had a problem: They were only able to effectively operate in good weather conditions. To solve this problem the USAF started a modification 
programm called Pave Low III. This resulted in the creation of the MH-53H, a real all-weather medium helicopter. The first flight of the prototype of this new version took place in summer of 1975. Four years later, the first of eight serial helicopters was delivered.
This small fleet grew up when the USAF modified its H-53Cs. These helicopters got the designation MH-53J.
The first H-53 used for AMCM - operations was the CH-53A. These were 15 USMC helicopters maintained by the Navy. The first deployment of these helicopters was as part of HM-12 when HM-12 conducted AMCM - operations off North Vietnam. The CH-53As were relieved by the RH-53D in September 1973.
The RH-53D was a capable AMCM - helicopter but not very successful during SAR - missions. One of these missions was the failed effort to rescue the American hostages in the US embassy in Teheran during the Iranian Crises.
The Navy's newest AMCM - helicopter is the MH-53E Sea Dragon. The prototype, a modified three-engined CH-53E helicopter, flew in 1982. The first serial helicopter flew on September 1, 1983. The MH-53E is/was used by HM-15 in Norfolk.
The MH-53E, is the Western world's largest helicopter
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back to top go to the end of the page| General Characteristics of the MH-53E | |
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| Contractor: | Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Technologies Corporation |
| Propulsion: | 3 General Electric T64-GE-416 turboshaft engines |
| Thrust: | 4,380 shaft horsepower |
| Length: | Fuselage: 73 feet 4 inches 22.3 meters Overall: 99 feet 30.2 meters |
| Height: | 28 feet 4 inches 8.6 meters |
| Weight: | 21 tons 18.9 metric tons |
| Rotor Diameter: | 72 feet 3 inches 21.7 meters |
| Range: | 1,120 nautical miles 1,289 statue miles 1800 km |
| Ceiling: | 27,900 feet 8504 meters |
| Speed: | 150 knots 172 mph 277 km/h |
| Crew: | 2 pilots, one to six aircrewman (depending on mission) |
| Armament: | None |
| Date deployed: | 1983; last CH-53E was replaced in 1994. |
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back to top go to the end of the pageMH-53E Image Gallery:
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