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An MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter in a hover over the water.
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Welcome to the MH-53E Sea Dragon Helicopter Site. This site contains information concerning the United States Military's largest and most powerful helicopter, the MH-53E Sea Dragon. The Sea Dragon is, in fact, the largest and most powerful aircraft put into production outside the former Soviet Union, only being surpassed in size by the Mil Mi-6 Hook and Mil Mi-26 Halo. The MH-53E Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) helicopter is manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The MH-53E is a Class 2 aircraft equipped with a seven-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor designed for land and ship-based operations, with an emergency water operating capability. Power is furnished by three T64-GE-416, T64-GE-416A, or T64-GE-419 engines, manufactured by General Electric Aircraft Engines. At a power turbine output speed of 14,280 rpm, each 416 or 416A engine is capable of producing 4380 shp. The 419 engine also has contingency power capability of up to 5000 shp for up to two minutes. The primary mission of the MH-53E is AMCM, which includes mine sweeping, mine neutralization, mine hunting, floating mine destruction, channel marking, and surface towing such as the towing of surface craft and ships. The secondary utility mission involves the movement of cargo and equipment and the transportation of passengers. There is room for a jeep with a trailer, 55 passengers or 24 litters in a medical evacuation role. Automatic flight control and engine anti-icing systems give the Sea Dragon an all-weather capability. An auxiliary powerplant (APP) gives the MH-53E a self-starting capability. Engine air particle separators have been incorporated to reduce power loss in a sand/dust or salt-water spray environment. The Sea Dragon is equipped with a fuel dump system, a rescue hoist, and dual external rearview mirrors. In addition, the MH-53E is equipped with a rear ramp loading system, cargo winch, roller conveyors, and cargo tiedown facilites. Provisions are made for helicopter in-flight refueling (HIFR) capabilities, air-to-air refueling, AMCM winches, and structural provisions for two flexible guns. The Sea Dragon has a tow boom, approach/hover coupler, tow coupler, precise navigation system, and provisions for mine hunting and mine sweeping. The MH-53E is capable of rescuing personnel during an overwater or overland hover. The maximum gross weight with internal or external cargo is operationally limited to 69,750 pounds. The empty weight is about 36,745 pounds, and the tow capability is steady state 25,000 pounds with surges to 30,000 pounds. |
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