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CH-53A/D Sea Stallion
The CH-53A/D assault/heavy-lift helicopter
prototype first flew in 1964. A Navy aerial
minesweeping version, the RH-53D, is basically
a CH-53A/D with upgraded engines and special
minesweeping gear.
CH-53E Super Stallion
The CH-53E Super Stallion is a shipboard-
compatible helicopter. It is configured for the lift
and movement of cargo and troops/passengers
internally and the lift of heavy, oversized
equipment externally. The Navy uses this aircraft
for six missions:
vertical onboard delivery
(VOD) augmentation, transfer of damaged
aircraft, mobile construction support, high-
priority container transportation, nuclear weapons
transportation,
and airborne mine counter-
measures (AMCM). The Marine Corps also uses
the CH-53 for certain missions. They include
tactical movement of heavy weapons and equip-
ment, amphibious assault operations, recovery of
downed aircraft (to include self-retrieval),
V/STOL support, and special operations.
The great lifting capacity of the CH-53 makes
it capable of lifting some of the Marine Corps’
heavier weapons systems. It can lift systems such
as the M-198 Howitzer and the different variants
of the new light armored vehicle (LAV). Because
of this lift capacity, the CH-53 provides greater
assault capability.
The range payload capability of the Super
Stallion gives it the ability to perform special
operations in support of the rapid deployment
force.
The MH-53E Sea Dragon is a multimission
variant of the CH-53E and has significantly
enhanced AMCM capability over the current
Navy RH-53D helicopter. The AMCM improve-
ments enhance the aircraft’s capability to perform
utility and special missions by significantly
increasing range and navigation capability. The
combined nomenclature designation of both
aircraft is the CH/MH-53E.
Weighing 73,500 pounds, the CH/MH-53E is
the largest helicopter in the western world. Its lift
capacity provides increased military capabilities.
It can deliver an external cargo of 16 tons within
a 50-nautical-mile radius and can make a VOD
of 9.8 tons within a 500-nautical-mile radius.
These ranges can
in-flight refueling
in-flight refueling
be further extended through
with KC-130s and helicopter
(HIR) with air-capable ships.
SH-60B Seahawk
The SH-60B Seahawk is the air subsystem of
the LAMPS Mk III weapons system. LAMPS Mk
III is a computer-integrated ship/helicopter
system that increases the effectiveness of surface
combatants. It does that by providing a remote
platform for deployment of sonobuoys and
torpedoes and an elevated platform for radar and
electronic support measures. It also increases
effectiveness by processing magnetic anomaly
detector sensor information.
SH-60B Seahawk helicopters provided com-
munications relay and visual surveillance services
during the two-carrier battle group joint strike on
selected terrorist-related Libyan targets in 1986.
The new SH-60F, designed to operate from
carriers, is replacing the SH-3H as the carrier
battle group inner antisubmarine warfare zone
helicopter. It employs a new, longer-range active
dipping sonar in addition to sonobuoys to track
and attack submarines. Also incorporated are
significant improvements in reliability and
maintainability, plus vastly improved tactical
capabilities.
AIRCRAFT MODEL DESIGNATIONS
All aircraft have tri-service designations. A
given aircraft bears the same alphanumeric
identification symbol regardless of whether the
Navy, Army, or Air Force uses the craft.
Each basic designator consists of a letter and
a number. The letter specifies the basic mission
of the aircraft as follows:
A—Attack
B—Bomber
C—Cargo/transport
E —Special electronic
installation
F —Fighter
H—Helicopter
K—Tanker
O—Observation
R—Reconnaissance
S —Antisubmarine
T—Trainer
U—Utility
V—VTOL or STOL
(vertical or
short takeoff and
landing
capability)
X—Research
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