Sikorsky MH-53 Sea Dragon | Minesweeping helicopter

Sikorsky MH-53 Sea Dragon

Militarymedia.net | Although the original Sikorsky S-65 production model had only two engines, the S-80/H-53E had three engines with 4 380 shp each. This is the most powerful helicopter ever built outside of Russia.

From early versions, the more powerful CH-53A and CH-53D were transports for the US Marine Corps. All CH-53As were shipped outfitted for towed minesweeper equipment, but the US Navy decided that the special mine countermeasure version would require more manpower and additional modifications. Accordingly, 15 CH-53A were transferred to the US Navy as RH-53A minesweeper engines with 3 925 hp T64-GE-413 turboshaft, and equipment for towing EDO Mk 105 hydrofoil mine-proof sleds.

The RH-53A was used to explore the possibilities of this new minesweeping technique, which had previously only been tried with engines with insufficient power, pending the arrival of 30 engines built specifically for the Sea Dragon RH-53D. Equipped with a drop tank and, later in-flight refueling probe, the RH-53D was immediately reengineered with a 4 380 shp T64-GE-415 turboshaft. The aircraft were delivered to the US Navy from the summer of 1973 and about 19 remained in US Navy service by early 2003, but were replaced by the MH-53Es. Six RH-53Ds were delivered to the Iranian Imperial Navy.

The CH-53E was developed to meet a 1973 demand for enhanced heavy-lift transport for the US Navy and US Marine Corps. From there the MH-53E Sea Dragon was developed. This definitive MCM (mine handling) version features an enormous side sponge for an additional 3785 liters of fuel, for extended sweep missions with the engine at sustained high power. The first prototype MH-53E made its initial flight on 23 December 1981 and about 44 remained in service by 2003.

The MH-53J has been sold to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.