Long range is critical to a heavy-lift system and the CH-53E is appropriately outfitted with a retractable fixed fuel probe along the lower right side of her nose to accept in-flight refueling from a tanker or naval surface ship. This quality drastically improves the strategic value of the CH-53E system in any theater of operation. Side sponsons also contain expanded fuel stores internally and allow for special mission equipment to be carried as well.
Dimensions of the CH-53 include a length of 99 feet, with a rotor diameter of 79 feet and height of 27 feet, 9 inches.
The CH-53E was born in a 1967 initiative by the USMC to bring about a new heavy-lift solution beyond that of their existing CH-53D models. Already at work on an improved version of that same mark, Sikorsky sold the USMC on the S-80 model in 1968. Prototypes became "YCH-53E" and led to a first flight on March 1st, 1974. Compared with the original CH-53 of Vietnam War fame, the revised CH-53E brought about use of a third engine and added a seventh blade to its enlarged main rotor system to increase performance and handling considerably. The YCH-53E prototypes were then finalized into the definitive CH-53E "Super Stallion" form which netted 170 production examples with service entry in 1981. An additional 50 examples were built from the revised Sikorsky S-80M model under the MH-53E "Sea Dragon" designation to serve as mine-countermeasures platforms with the US Navy. The VH-53F designation was reserved for a proposed, though ultimately unbuilt, presidential VIP passenger transport. Another reserved designation became Sikorsky S-80E which was to designate transport airframes for export customers - none were produced. Similarly, Sikorsky S-80M designated export-minded mine-countermeasures versions, eleven of these taken on by Japan.
In all, 234 CH-53Es have been produced to date (2013). The CH-53E also serves as the basis for the heavily-modified, aforementioned CH-53K "Super Stallion" in development for the USMC with an expected introduction date sometime in 2018. The CH-53K will feature an enlarged cargo/passenger cabin area, all-new engines and a new composite main rotor blade and continue the heavy-lift helicopter role for the USMC for decades to come.
There are currently (2013) only two worldwide operators of the CH-53E - the United States and Japan. For the US, the CH-53E serves both the United States Marine Corps and Navy with USMC usage across nine squadrons and USN usage across four squadrons. CH-53Es in Japanese service fly with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The platforms have proven very valuable across various mission scopes though their maintenance requirements are high as are operating costs.
During her service life, the CH-53E has been deployed to Beirut, Somalia, the Persian Gulf (Operation Desert Storm), Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom).
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