CH-53E Super Stallion
[USA]
The CH-53E heavylift transport helicopter has been developed by Sikorsky. It has been adopted by US Marine Corps in 1981. Since then the Super Stallion was the largest and most powerful helicopter outside Russia. Currently the Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter used by the US military. A total of 227 machines were built for the US Marine Corps and US Navy.
The US Marines are using these helicopters to deliver troops, vehicles and supplies from ships to shore. The US Navy use a small number of these helicopters for shipboard resupply. Also the US Navy uses a dedicated minesweeping version.
This helicopter can carry 37 troops. With centerline seats installed the Super Stallion can carry 55 soldiers. Alternatively it can carry cargo with a maximum weight of 13.6 t internally or 14.5 t externally. It is capable of lifting LAV-25 armored vehicleor M198 155-mm field howitzer with crew and ammunition. It can recover aircraft up to its own size.
Recently a new CH-53K King Stallion helicopter was developed to meet requirements of the US Marine Corps. It has similar airframe, but notably improved performance. The CH-53K should reach initial operating capability in 2018.
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