{
  "id": "ch-53-sea-stallion",
  "name": "CH-53 Sea Stallion",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "USA",
  "category": "Heavy-lift helicopter",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1966,
  "operators": [
    "AUT",
    "DEU",
    "IRN",
    "ISR",
    "JPN",
    "MEX",
    "USA"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 8,
  "summary": "The CH-53 Sea Stallion is a family of heavy-lift transport helicopters designed and built by Sikorsky Aircraft. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is currently in service with Germany, Iran, Israel, and Mexico.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 29.97,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 22,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Wingspan"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 7.6,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "General Electric T-64-GE-413",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "3,925 hp",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "ceiling_m",
      "v": 5106,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Navigation Radar",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Modernized IFR equipment.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Add on Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Partial armor available, decreases flight range and performance.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "EW Counter Measures/CCM",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Equipped, exact detail not released.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Counter Measures (Chaff/Flares)",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "IR homing missile jammers.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "CH-53A",
      "text": "Initial Production Model; deliveries to the USMC; 139 airframes produced.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "RH-53A",
      "text": "Based on the CH-53A production models; fitted with 2 x General Electric T64-GE-413 engines of 3,925 horsepower; US Navy use as mine countermeasures platform; 15 models converted from CH-53As.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "TH-53A",
      "text": "Simplified USAF trainers based on the CH-53A production models.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "CH-53D",
      "text": "Powered folding main rotor; increased cabin space for up to 55 passengers; improved transmission system; USMC usage; 125 production airframes.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "RH-53D",
      "text": "USN mine countermeasures variant based on the CH-53D production models; in-flight refueling capable; 2 x 12.7mm machine guns for self-defense; 30 new-build for USN and 6 examples delivered to the Iranian Navy pre-1979.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "VH-53D",
      "text": "VIP transport variant; 2 CH-53Ds converted to this configuration.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "CH-53D \"Yas'ur\"",
      "text": "Israeli CH-53D model designation.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "CH-53G",
      "text": "German Export Model; based on the CH-53D; 112 examples produced; production split by Fokker and Sprey.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "helicopter",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/ch-53-sea-stallion.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-ch-53-sea-stallion": {
      "title": "CH-53 Sea Stallion American Heavy-lift Helicopter",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/CH-53_Sea_Stallion_American_Heavy-lift_Helicopter",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}