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Air ForcesUnited States

CH-53 Sea Stallion

Heavy-lift helicopterFielded 1966Pending verification
Air ForcesUSA
Length 29.97 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeHeavy-lift helicopter
Date of introduction1966
ProliferationAt least 8 countries
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length29.97 m98 ftMed[1]
Wingspan22 m72 ftMed[1]
Height7.6 m25 ftMed[1]
Flight performance
EngineGeneral Electric T-64-GE-413Med[1]
Thrust / power3,925 hpMed[1]
Service ceiling5,106 m16,752 ftMed[1]
Protection
Add on ArmorPartial armor available, decreases flight range and performance.Med[1]
EW Counter Measures/CCMEquipped, exact detail not released.Med[1]
Counter Measures (Chaff/Flares)IR homing missile jammers.Med[1]
Fire control
Navigation RadarModernized IFR equipment.Med[1]
Variants
CH-53AInitial Production Model; deliveries to the USMC; 139 airframes produced.[1]
RH-53ABased 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.[1]
TH-53ASimplified USAF trainers based on the CH-53A production models.[1]
CH-53DPowered folding main rotor; increased cabin space for up to 55 passengers; improved transmission system; USMC usage; 125 production airframes.[1]
RH-53DUSN 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.[1]
VH-53DVIP transport variant; 2 CH-53Ds converted to this configuration.[1]
CH-53D "Yas'ur"Israeli CH-53D model designation.[1]
CH-53GGerman Export Model; based on the CH-53D; 112 examples produced; production split by Fokker and Sprey.[1]
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.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
AustriaGermanyIranIsraelJapanMexicoUnited States
Sources
  1. CH-53 Sea Stallion American Heavy-lift Helicopter, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import