![]() ![]() Sikorsky then proposed a new version, originally the "CH-53X", and in April 2006 the USMC signed a contract for 156 aircraft as the "CH-53K" valued at $18.8 billion with deliveries to be completed by 2021. The US Marine Corps had been planning to upgrade most of its CH-53Es to keep them in service, but this plan stalled. ![]() The MH-53E began to be used by the Navy in 1986. For the airborne mine countermeasures role, the Navy later ordered a CH-53E version designated "MH-53E Sea Dragon" with enlarged sponsons and fuel tanks for greater fuel storage. The Marines and Navy acquired a total of 177. The US Navy acquired the CH-53E in small numbers for shipboard resupply. Following successful testing the initial production contract was awarded in 1978, and service introduction followed in February 1981. The tail configuration was also changed to a larger vertical tail with the tail rotor tilted slightly to provide some lift in hover. A new automatic flight control system was added. The main rotor blades were changed to a titanium- fiberglass composite. Changes on the CH-53E also included a stronger transmission and a fuselage stretched 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m). The Marines considered this a good, quick solution, and funded development of a testbed helicopter. Sikorsky proposed the S-80 design to the Marines in 1968. Before this Sikorsky had been working on an enhancement to the CH-53D, under the company designation "S-80", featuring a third turboshaft engine and a more powerful rotor system. In October 1967, the US Marine Corps issued a requirement for a helicopter with a lifting capacity 1.8 times that of the CH-53D and would fit on amphibious assault ships. The Air Force's MH-53H/J/M Pave Low helicopters were the last of the twin engined H-53s and were equipped with extensive avionics upgrades for all weather operation. The US Air Force's HH-53B/C "Super Jolly Green Giant" were for special operations and combat rescue. The CH-53D included a more powerful version of the General Electric T64 engine, used in all H-53 variants, and external fuel tanks. The RH-53A and RH-53D were used by the United States Navy for mine sweeping. Variants of the original CH-53A Sea Stallion include the RH-53A/D, HH-53B/C, CH-53D, CH-53G, and MH-53H /J/M. The CH-53A is equipped with T64-GE-6 shaft turbine and has a max gross weight of 46,000 lb (20,865 kg). The helicopter was designated "CH-53A Sea Stallion" and delivery of production helicopters began in 1966. The prototype YCH-53A first flew on October 14, 1964. Sikorsky's S-65 was selected over Boeing Vertol's modified CH-47 Chinook version. The CH-53 was the product of the US Marine Corps' "Heavy Helicopter Experimental" (HH(X)) competition begun in 1962. ![]()
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