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H-53 Sea Stallion / Jolly Green Giant
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MH-53
Pave Low Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012 National Museum of the USAF Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO) Dayton, Ohio |
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The CH-53 Sea Stallion (Sikorsky S-65) is a family of heavy-lift transport helicopters designed and built by Sikorsky Aircraft. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is currently in service with Germany, Iran, Israel, and Mexico. The United States Air Force operated the HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant" during the late– and post–Vietnam-War era, updating most of them as the MH-53 Pave Low.
The Sea Stallion has a fuselage design
similar to, but much larger than,
the Sikorsky S-61R series. It has a
passenger door on the right side of the
fuselage behind the cockpit and a
power-operated rear loading ramp. The
fuselage is watertight, though not intended
for amphibious use, and is only intended to
land on water in emergencies. The Stallion
has mechanical flight controls which are
backed by three
independent hydraulic systems. Armor
protects crew and vital systems.
The first YCH-53A performed its initial
flight at the Sikorsky plant in Stratford,
Connecticut, on 14 October 1964, about four
months behind schedule. The Marines
had already placed an initial
production contract for 16 helicopters in
September. Flight trials went more smoothly
than expected, helping make up for the time
lost in development. It received the
military designation and name "CH-53A Sea
Stallion". Delivery of production CH-53s
began in 1966.
The CH-53A arrived in Vietnam in January
1967 and proved useful, eventually
recovering even more downed aircraft than
the CH-54.
A total of 141 CH-53As were built, including
the two prototypes. The U.S. Navy
acquired 15 CH-53As from the USMC
in 1971 for airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM)
activities. The helicopters had more
powerful T64-GE-413 turboshafts installed
and received the designation "RH-53A".
The United States Air Force ordered
the HH-53B in September 1966 and it first
flew on 15 March 1967. It added a refueling
probe, drop fuel tanks and a rescue hoist;
it also featured upgraded T64-GE-3 engines.
The Air Force used the HH-53B for combat
search and rescue (CSAR).[4] HH-53C
was an improved CSAR variant with a smaller
450 US gallons (1,700 L) fuel tank in
exchange for more armor and better
communication systems. The CH-53C was
similar except it lacked a refueling probe.
It was used by the USAF for more general
transport work.
Source: Wikipedia |
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