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.

## Overview

The less common **MH-53E Sea Dragon** fills the United States Navy's need for long-range minesweeping or airborne mine countermeasures missions, and perform heavy-lift duties for the Navy. The said variant also serves the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), operated by Air Development Squadron 51 (JMSDF) under Mine Countermeasures Helicopter Squadron 111 (JMSDF).

The MH-53E features enlarged side-mounted fuel sponsons, and is rigged for towing various minesweeping and hunting gear from above the dangerous naval mines. The Sea Dragon can be equipped for minesweeping and cargo and passenger transportation. Its digital flight-control system includes features specifically designed to help towing minesweeping gear.

## Specification

### **General characteristics**

* **Crew:** 5: 2 pilots, 1 crew chief/right gunner, 1 left gunner, 1 tail gunner (combat crew)
* **Capacity:**
	+ 37 troops with default folding canvas seats
	+ 55 troops with center row added
	+ 31 with new crash attenuating seats
	+ **Internal payload:** 32,000 lb (14,515 kg)
	+ **External payload:** 36,000 lb (16,329 kg)
* **Length:** 99 ft 0.5 in (30.188 m)
* **Height:** 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)
* **Empty weight:** 33,226 lb (15,071 kg)
* **Max takeoff weight:** 73,500 lb (33,339 kg)
* **Powerplant:** 3 × General Electric T64-GE-416 / GE-416A / GE-419 turboshaft engines, 4,380 shp (3,270 kW) each
* **Main rotor diameter:** 79 ft 0 in (24.08 m)
* **Main rotor area:** 4,900 sq ft (460 m2) Sikorsky SC1095

### **Performance**

* **Maximum speed:** 170 kn (200 mph, 310 km/h)
* **Cruise speed:** 150 kn (170 mph, 280 km/h)
* **Never exceed speed:** 170 kn (200 mph, 310 km/h)
* **Range:** 540 nmi (620 mi, 1,000 km)
* **Combat range:** 180 nmi (210 mi, 330 km)
* **Ferry range:** 990 nmi (1,140 mi, 1,830 km)
* **Service ceiling:** 18,500 ft (5,600 m)
* **Rate of climb:** 2,500 ft/min (13 m/s)

### **Armament**

* **Guns:**
	+ 2× .50 BMG (12.7 x 99 mm) window-mounted GAU-21 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

## Service History in the New World

Although still not mentioned in the story, it is likely the Sea Dragon is still in service with the JSDF, just like the Mitsubishi F-4 Phantom II, due to the fact that ordering new helicopters from overseas became impossible due to the transfer and designing and building new frames will take time, not to mention they are expensive and the Japanese economy still in a long way to recovery to pre-transfer levels. Just like the Phantoms, the Sea Dragons of the JMSDF are definitely undergone some upgrades in order to extend the flight hours of the airframes until a replacement has been made into service.

## Trivia

* Its real-life counterparts were already retired from service since 2017. Two retired MH-53E helicopters of the squadron were sold to the US in 2015 for their components.