How much can a CH 53E Super Stallion lift?
Elijah King
Updated on March 10, 2026
How much can a CH 53E Super Stallion lift?
The heavy-lift helicopter of the Marine Corps can carry a 26,000-pound Light Armored Vehicle, 16 tons of cargo 50 miles and back, or enough combat-loaded Marines to lead an assault or humanitarian operation.
How big is the Super Stallion helicopter?
It evolved from the earlier Sikorsky S-65 (H-53 Sea Stallion) mainly by adding a third engine and a larger rotor system. A fuselage was stretched by 1.88 m. The S-80 prototype made its first flight in 1974….Heavylift transport helicopter.
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Length | 30.2 m |
| Main rotor diameter | 24 m |
| Height | 8.46 m |
| Weight (empty) | 15.07 t |
What is the largest Navy helicopter?
Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military….Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion.
| CH-53E Super Stallion MH-53E Sea Dragon | |
|---|---|
| First flight | 1 March 1974 |
| Introduction | 1981 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | United States Marine Corps United States Navy Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |
How many people can a ch53 carry?
A dual digital automatic flight control system and engine anti-ice system give the aircraft an all-weather capability. The helicopter seats 37 passengers in its normal configuration and has provisions to carry 55 passengers with centerline seats installed.
What is the most powerful helicopter in the US military?
The CH-53K has similar airframe as its predecessor, but has notably improved performance. This heavy helicopter was first publicly revealed in 2014. The King Stallion reached initial operating capability with the US Marine Corps in 2018. Currently it is the largest and heaviest helicopter used by the US military.
What is the biggest helicopter in the US?
Sikorsky CH 53E Super Stallion
The Largest Helicopter in The U.S. Military Sikorsky CH 53E Super Stallion. Super Helicopters The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military.
Can a CH 53 carry an Abrams tank?
The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is the largest helicopter ever flown by the U.S. military. Its cargo bay is large enough for an M1 Abrams battle tank and able to fly higher and faster than its predecessor CH-53E Super Stallion to avoid enemy ground fire.
How heavy is a ch53?
The CH-53K’s maximum gross weight will be 88,000 lb (39,900 kg), which is increased over the CH-53E’s 73,500 lb (33,300 kg).
How many Super Stallions were made?
A total of 172 Super Stallions have been delivered and 165 are in service with marine corps squadrons in the Pacific Fleet and in the Atlantic Fleet. The helicopter is also in service with the marine corps reserve, training and experimental squadrons.
How much can a King Stallion lift?
There are currently 33 program aircraft, either delivered or on contract. Designed to lift 27,000 lbs/12,247 kg at a mission radius of 110 nautical miles (203 km), in Navy high/hot environments, the CH-53K is capable of lifting almost triple the baseline CH-53E lift capability.
Where is ch53 stationed?
This first CH-53K heavy lift helicopter will be stationed at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina. There the helicopter enters into the Supportability Test Plan.
How much can a Super Stallion lift?
The Super Stallion helicopter can carry a maximum external payload of 16,330kg. The MH-53E Sea Dragon variant is primarily dedicated to Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) operations. The MH-53E helicopter is heavier than the CH-53E with enlarged fuel sponsons for greater fuel capacity.
What kind of helicopter is a Super Stallion?
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military. As the Sikorsky S-80, it was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, adding a seventh blade to the main rotor, and canting the tail rotor 20°.
How many guns does a CH-53 Super Stallion have?
Sikorsky CH-53 Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter weapons The only original armament on a CH-53E were two 0.50-calibre machine guns mounted in the windows on the sides of the helicopter. These could only cover the front and most of the sides, leaving the rear exposed. “The marine corp uses the Super Stallion in the amphibious assault role.”
What is the CH-53K helicopter?
The CH-53K helicopter is a general redesign of the CH-53E Super Stallion. The main improvements are the new engine and cockpit layout. The CH-53K will have more than twice the lifting capacity and action radius of the CH-53E, and wider cargo space to allow it to carry the Humvee internally
When did the Sikorsky CH-53 Super Stallion come out?
The Sikorsky CH-53 Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter first flew in 1974 and entered service with the US Marine Corps (USMC) in 1981. CH-53E Sea Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 463.