Fact File: the H-53 Family at War

[Matt Wiser]

The Sikorsky H-53 family during the War:

The H-53 family in World War III


The Sikorsky H-53 family of heavy lift and special operations helicopters were the primary heavy-lift helicopters used by the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy during the Third World War, and the Super Stallion versions are still in service today. From serving on the front lines or off of amphibious ships supporting U.S. Marine forces, acting as USN airborne minesweepers, or as combat rescue and special operations platforms for the Air Force, the Sea Stallion and Super Stallion served well. The H-53 is expected to continue in service as the CH-53K King Stallion is in development for Marine and Navy service, continuing on the legacy of the original Sea Stallion. This work covers the H-53's wartime and postwar service.


CH-53A: Initial production transport helicopter for USMC. Two GE T64-GE-3 Turboshaft engines with 2,850 SHP each, Seating for 38 troops or 24 litters and 4 attendants. 8,000 pounds of internal cargo or 13,000 pounds of external cargo. Two M-60 machine guns in doors.

RH-53A: USN minesweeping version of CH-53A: Two GE T64-GE-413 turboshaft engines with 3,925 SHP each; several different minesweeping sleds towed behind the helicopter. Two .50 caliber door guns for use in detonating floating mines.

TH-53A: Several stripped-down CH-53As used by the USAF for crew training.

HH-53B: USAF Combat Search and Rescue version, with two GE T64-GE-3 Turboshafts with 3,080 SHP each, upgraded to T64-GE-7 with 3,925 SHP each. Retractable inflight refueling probe, spindle-shaped jettisonable external fuel tanks with 650 gallons each, rescue hoist, three GE M134 Miniguns in side hatches and rear ramp, Doppler navigation radar, and 1,200 pounds of armor. Five crew: pilot, copilot, crew chief, and two Pararescuemen.

HH-53C: Improved B with more armor, fuel tanks reduced to 450 gallons to improve crew visibility, improved radio suite, additional armor. GE T64-GE-7s fitted as standard.

CH-53C: USAF transport version, with rescue hoist, and deletion of IFR probe. Most converted to Pave Low standart.

CH-53D: Improved A with GE T64-GE-413 Turboshafts as on RH-53A, improved transmission, cabin enlarged for seating of 55 troops USMC service, with others sold to Israel as S-65C-3 and upgraded by Israeli Aircraft Industries after 2000.

RH-53D: USN MCM version of D, with two T64-GE-415 Turboshafts with 4,380 SHP each. Two 550 gallon drop tanks, AQS-14 dipping or towed sonar for mine detection, able to two five different types of MCM sleds, two .50 caliber machine guns, IFR probe. Six sold to Imperial Iran.

VH-53D: Two USMC CH-53Ds modified for VIP transport, used by HMX-1.

CH-53G: German built version of D for West German Army. Sikorsky designation S-65C-1. Combat service in 1989 campaign in Eastern Europe. All now transferred to Luftwaffe and receiving avionics and engine upgrades.

CH-53GS: Combat SAR version of G for Luftwaffe. Armor, RWR, missile countermeasures equipment, NVG-compatible cockpit, MG-3 door guns.

S-65Oe: Version of CH-53G for Austria. Company designation S-65C-2.

CH-53E Super Stallion: Company designation S-80. Improved version with three GE T64-GE-416/416A engines with 4,380 SHP. Side-mounted fuel tanks with 650 gallons each and IFR probe. Up to three .50 caliber machine guns in side doors and rear ramp. Seating for 55 troops or up to 36,000 pounds of internal cargo or 32,000 pounds of external cargo. Used by both USMC and USN.

MH-53E: USN MCM version, with side-mounted sponsons instead of external fuel tanks. IFR probe standard. Dipping sonar and towed MCM equipment, with two .50 caliber machine guns. Also used by Japan.

HH-53H/MH-53H Super Jolly Green Giant/Pave Low: USAF Combat SAR and Special Operations version. HH-53H original version, with same features as HH-53C, but with one minigun on each side and a .50 caliber in the tail. FLIR, Terrain-Following Radar, Doppler radar navigation system, INS, moving map display, and chaff/flare dispensers and IRCM. Redesignated MH-53H when NVG-compatible cockpit during depot-level maintenance.

MH-53J Pave Low III: Postwar version, based on wartime experience: Improved radar, navigation system including GPS, improved FLIR and new mission computer, ECM, TFR and nav radar, NVG-compatible cockpit, integrated avionics. Two GE T64-GE-7 engines with 3,925 SHP. Produced via conversions of surviving Hs and new production from Sikorsky.

MH-53M Pave Low IV: Pave Low III with Interactive Defensive Avionics System and Multi-mission Advanced Tactical Terminal. Enhanced defensive capabilities and crew ability to detect real time threats, including over-the-horizon threats, and ability for the crew to replan a mission en route if necessary.


Service:

The various U.S. Military versions of the H-53 saw combat from the first day of hostilities to the end. A VH-53 of HMX-1 flew newly inaugurated President George Bush from his summer home in Maine to Pease AFB in New Hampshire, and then on to Boston. While USAF HH-53s were flying Combat SAR and casualty evacuation misisons in New Mexico, and USMC CH-53s went from North Carolina to Louisiana in support of the 2nd Marine Division. Navy versions served in the VERTREP and MCM roles during the war, and were a key component in keeping key ports such as Norfolk, Philadelphia, Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle free of Soviet mines. H-53s were fully involved in all major campaigns during the war, from the Pacific Northwest to the Louisiana Bayou, and the drives into Texas, while also seeing action in the Mediterranean, the Pacific and Far East, and the Kola Raid. Combat continued after the war, with Marine versions seeing anti-piracy duty in the Horn of Africa, Indonesia, and the China Coast, and Air Force versions being used in support of Special Operations in a number of locales. Service included the Cuba Uprising and the Baja War.

Users:

United States Marine Corps

United States Navy

United States Air Force

Austrian Air Force

Iranian Naval Aviation

Israeli Air Force

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force

(West) German Army (Bundeswehr)

(West) German Air Force (Luftwaffe)