CH-53E Super Stallion

CH-53E Super Stallion (Heavy-lift cargo helicopter) – 170

Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft

First flight: 1 March 1974

Introduction: 1981

Number built: 170

Unit cost: $24.36 million (1992, avg. cost)

Developed from: Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion

Developed into: Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion

General characteristics

Crew: 5 (2 pilots, crew chief/right gunner, left gunner, tail gunner/combat crew)

Capacity: 37 troops (55 with centerline seats installed)

Payload:

Internal – 13,600 kg

External – 14,500 kg

Length: 30.2 m

Rotor diameter: 24 m

Height: 8.46 m

Disc area: 460 m²

Empty weight: 15,071 kg

Max. takeoff weight: 33,300 kg

Powerplant: 3× General Electric T64-GE-416/416A turboshaft, 4,380 shp (3,270 kW) each

Rotor systems: 7 blades on main rotor, 4 blades on anti-torque tail rotor

Performance

Maximum speed: 315 km/h

Cruise speed: 278 km/h

Range: 1,000 km

Ferry range: 1,833 km

Service ceiling: 5,640 m

Rate of climb: 13 m/s

Armament

Guns:

2× Browning .50 BMG (12.7 x 99 mm) window-mounted GAU-15/A machine guns;

1× Browning .50 BMG (12.7 x 99 mm) ramp mounted weapons system, GAU-21 (M3M mounted machine gun)

Other: Chaff and flare dispensers