Military Helicopters
Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican
ICAO: HH3F
Overview
The Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon is a specialized heavy-lift helicopter developed for the U.S. Navy. Designed for mine countermeasures and transport missions, it entered service in the 1980s. The aircraft is among the largest helicopters in U.S. military service.
Live Fleet Activity (H53E)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 3 × General Electric T64-GE-416 Turboshafts
- Engine type
- Turboshaft
- Power
- 3 × 5,000 shp · 3,729 kW
- Avionics
- Rockwell Collins Avionics, Northrop Grumman (Teledyne Ryan) AN/APN-217 Doppler radar.
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 38
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- 7 ft 6 in · 2.29 m
- Cabin height
- 6 ft 6 in · 1.98 m
- Cabin length
- 30 ft 0 in · 9.14 m
- Exterior length
- 99 ft 1 in · 30.20 m
- Tail height
- 17 ft 5 in · 5.32 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 8 ft 10 in · 2.69 m
- Wing span
- 78 ft 9 in · 24.00 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 73,500 lb · 33,300 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 32,000 lb · 14,500 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 2,300 gal · 8,600 L · 6,900 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 150 kt · 173 mph · 278 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 1,120 nm · 1,290 mi · 2,070 km
- Fuel burn
- 0.45 nm/gal · 0.22 km/L
- Ceiling
- 18,503 ft · 5,600 m
- Rate of climb
- 2,500 ft/min · 13 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- —
- Landing distance
- —
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Operational Context
Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon — heavy-lift naval helicopter
The MH-53E first flew in 1981 and entered service in 1986. It features an extended fuselage and enlarged fuel capacity. The helicopter was engineered for sustained low-altitude towing missions.
Three turboshaft engines producing approximately 4,380 shaft horsepower each power the aircraft. Cruise speed approaches 150 knots (278 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 73,000 pounds (33,113 kg).
The Sea Dragon performs mine countermeasures and heavy transport duties. Its lifting capacity supports large external loads. The aircraft remains in limited naval service.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.