Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon

The heavy-lift helicopter built for airborne mine countermeasures.

Overview

Sikorsky Helicopter United States ICAO: H53E 1986–Present $59 million

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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H-53E slung load

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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.

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