Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion

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The largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military is the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion (Sikorsky S-80E). It was built for the United States Marine Corps by Sikorsky Aircraft.

Sikorsky is currently developing the CH-53K, which will be equipped with 3 – 6,000 shp-class turboshaft engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider more comfortable cabin.

The helicopter will seat 37 passengers in its normal configuration but has the ability to carry 55 passengers with centerline seats installed. The CH-53E Super Stallion is a shipboard helicopter configured for the lift and movement of cargo and personnel and the external lift of heavy oversized equipment. The CH-53E is the only helicopter capable of lifting some of the new weapon systems in the Marine Corps, including the M-198 Howitzer and the variants of the new Light Armored Vehicle (LAV). This heavy lift helicopter is the largest helicopter in the western world, with a maximum gross weight of 73,500 pounds.

The Sikorsky CH-53E SUPER STALLION is still the largest and most powerful marinized helicopter in the world. The Sikorsky CH-53 is without doubt the most successful and best known heavy transport helicopter of the NATO forces.

Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion Specifications:

Crew: 5: 2 pilots, 1 crew chief/right gunner, 1 left gunner, 1 tail gunner
(combat crew)
Capacity: 37 troops (55 with centerline seats installed)
Payload: internal: 30,000 lb or 13,600 kg (external: 32,000 lb or 14,500 kg)

Length: 99 ft 1/2 in (30.2 m)
Rotor diameter: 79 ft (24 m)
Height: 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)
Disc area: 4,900 ft² (460 m²)
Empty weight: 33,226 lb (15,071 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 73,500 lb (33,300 kg)
Powerplant: 3× General Electric T64-GE-416(A) turboshaft, 4,380 shp (3,270
kW) each
Rotor systems: 7 blades on main rotor

Maximum speed: 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h)
Cruise speed: 150 kt (173 mph, 278 km/h)
Range: 540 nmi (621 mi, 1,000 km)
Ferry range: 990 nmi (1,139 mi, 1,833 km)
Service ceiling: 18,500 ft (5,640 m)
Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (13 m/s)
Armament

Guns:

2× .50 BMG (12.7 x 99 mm) window-mounted XM218 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