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H-53 Sea Stallion
IOC: 1966
MH-53J Pave Low III
IOC: 1986
Production: 41
Unitary Cost: USD$40 million
Also Known As
MH-53M Pave Low IV
Origin
United States of America
Contractor/s
United Technologies
Family Members
CH-53D Sea Stallion
CH-53E Super Stallion
CH-53K
Power plant:
T64-GE-416 (3)
Sensors & Communications:
AN/ALR-69
Protection Systems:
AN/ALQ-157
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Description:
Sikorsky H-53 program was born to meet the requirements of the US Marine Corps (USMC) for a heavy-lift transport helicopter suitable for shipboard operations. Its primary mission is to transport supplies, troops and equipment in support of amphibious and shore operations. The program was launched in the early 1960s with the CH-53A Sea Stallion achieving initial operational capability (IOC) in November 1966.
CH-53D Sea Stallion is an improved variant of CH-53A. CH-53A/D models are powered by two General Electric T64 turboshaft engines and feature a six-bladed main rotor. CH-53D is powered by two T64-GE-413 engines rated at 3,935-shp each. In addition to A and D models for the USMC, Sikorsky also developed the HH-53B/C/H variant for the US Air Force and the RH-53D Airborne MineCountermeasures (AMCM) for the US Navy. US Air Force H-53 aircraft led to the MH-53J Pave Low III.
US Air Force (USAF) MH-53J Pave Low III is a low-level, long-range aircraft intended for penetration, exfiltration, infiltration and resupply of special operations forces into denied areas in all-weather, day/night conditions while undetected. To achieve this highly demanding goal Pave Low III have been equipped with state of the art sensors and avionics. Armor plates were provided for additional protection against ballistic threats. It derived from the CH-53D helicopter and was obtained upgrading existing USAF HH-53 and MH-53 helicopters from 1986.
The MH-53M Pave Low IV is a follow-on aircraft modified with the Interactive Defensive Avionics System/Multi-Mission Advanced Tactical Terminal or IDAS/MATT. The system provided by Lockheed-Martin enhances the defensive capabilities of Pave Low aircraft through allowing real time access to the total battlefield situation. As of October 2005, the USAF was operating 13 MH-53Js and 25 MH-53Ms.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 6, Passengers 55
Dimensions: Height 7.6 m, Length 28 m, Main Rotor Diameter 21.9 m
Weights: Max Weight 23,644 kg (52,125 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 4,876 m (15,997 ft), Endurance 5 hours 6 min, Max Range 1,110 km (599 nm), Top Speed 77 mps (277 kph)
Power: Power 8,660 shp
Other: Main Rotor Blades 6, Number of Engines 2
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Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)
Last Updated: Saturday, November 22, 2008
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