Sikorsky H-53 Explained

The Sikorsky H-53 is a family of military helicopters built by Sikorsky Aircraft. H-53 is its United States military designation; the company has several designations for it including S-65, S80, and S-95.

The helicopter is noted for Naval, Search and Rescue, Minesweeping, Special Operations, and Cargo. It entered service in the 1960s and has remained so with series of upgraded 2 and 3 engine models over the decades, and is still in production in the 21st century.

Variants include:

• Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion (S-65), a heavy-lift helicopter introduced in 1966 with two engines, a six bladed main rotor and a four bladed tail rotor. Developed as a transport helicopter and an assault helicopter.
• Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low and Sikorsky HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant, upgraded helicopters with more powerful engines, improved avionics and armament used for combat search and rescue and special operations. Pave Low variants were retired in 2008 and are not in service.
• Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion (S-80) and Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon, a heavier helicopter introduced in 1981, developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion by adding a third engine, a seventh blade to the main rotor and canting the tail rotor 20 degrees. The MH-53E Sea Dragon is used for long range mine sweeping or airborne mine countermeasures.
• Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion (S-95), an upgraded version with composite rotor blades, a wider cabin, and modernised systems that entered service in the 2020s and is in production.