The CH-53E Super Stallion is used by the United States Marine Corps to perform heavy lift missions and the U.S. Navy as an aerial mine sweeper. It's the largest and most powerful helicopter in the United States inventory.

The CH-53E looks very similar to its siblings the CH-53A/G, HH-53C and MH-53. The major difference is this has three engines while other models have two. This provides extra power and redundancy. In fact the CH-53E is able to lift and recover every aircraft in the Marine inventory except the KC-130 Hercules. It's able to lift Humvees, artillery pieces, and the Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicle 25 (LAV 25).

The Navy version, designated the MH-53E Sea Dragon performs long-range mine sweeping, Airborne Mine Countermeasures missions and heavy lift.

The Super Stallion entered service in 1981 and has served faithfully ever since. The largest operator of it is the Marine Corps who have over 100 in service.

The CH-53E can carry 37 troops without centerline seats installed and 55 combat troops with centerline seats installed or it can carry 32,000 pounds of cargo. It's capable of hoisting up to 34000 pounds. The Super Stallion has a seven bladed rotor system with a rotor diameter of 79ft. It's powered by three General Electric T64-GE-416 turbo shaft engines rated at 4,380 SHP (shaft horsepower) each. It has a maximum speed of 196 mph and an unrefueled range of 540 nautical miles, which can be increased by using in-flight refueling. It's armed with two window mounted 50-caliber machine guns and one ramp mounted gun in the rear. For defense it has chaff and flare dispensers as well as missile warning receivers.

Upgrades to the Super Stallion have included the Helicopter Night Vision System and an improved Forward Looking Infrared Imaging system (FLIR).

Since it entered service the CH-53E has seen action in Beirut, Somalia, Kuwait, Iraq, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. Additionally whenever a U.S. embassy is under imminent threat of attack the Marines use Super Stallions to evacuate embassy personnel.

The CH-53E has a crew of five. Two pilots, a crew chief/right gunner, a left gunner and a tail gunner.

A new CH-53 will soon be in operation with the Marines. The CH-53K. Four of the new Stallions have been built for system evaluation. The Ch-53K will be able to double the payload capability of the CH-53E. It will be powered by General Electric engines and a utilize a new composite rotor system. It has been in service for almost 30 years. It's proven its worth one mission at a time and is a big part of the Marine Corps vertical envelopment warfare doctrine.

At Helicopter Pilot Careers we help helicopter pilots land their dream jobs. Come see us and get our free report on the state of the helicopter industry, a free e-logbook, and free resume advice!

Source: www.articletrader.com