Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
The Sikorsky CH-53E/K Super/King Stallion adds a third engine and a seventh main rotor blade to the original twin-engine CH-53 design, substantially boosting lift capacity for the heaviest US Marine Corps transport missions. It remains the most powerful helicopter in Western military service, able to lift a fully loaded armoured vehicle or artillery piece that would be far beyond a smaller helicopter's capability. The newer CH-53K King Stallion, with a fully modernised composite rotor and fly-by-wire controls, can carry roughly triple the external load of the original CH-53E on the same basic three-engine layout. It remains the US Marine Corps' primary heavy-lift helicopter for the most demanding transport missions.
Did you know?
The CH-53E/K adds a third engine and seventh rotor blade, making it the most powerful helicopter in Western military service.
Specifications
| Length | 22.4 m (73 ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 8.5 m (28 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 24.1 m (79 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 55 |
| Persons on board | 66 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 33.3 t |
| Range | 621 NM (1,150 km) |
| Service ceiling | 18,500 ft (5,639 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 8,000 ft (2,438 m) |
| Fuel capacity | 2,380 l |
| Engines | 3x General Electric T64 or T408 |
| Units built | 172 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion starts as a Very rare catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Sikorsky, the CH-53E Super Stallion family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
Catch it yourself.CatchFlights shows the aircraft flying near you on a radar, so a type like this one is only a catch away when it passes overhead. Explore CatchFlights.
Browse all aircraft types, or learn to tell Airbus from Boeing.