|
|
Background
— Medium-Lift Helicopter Comparisons — the CH-53 |
|
A ‘Sea Horse’ of Substance
One western helicopter may warrant Gen Hillier’s ‘heavy lift’ tag – Sikorsky’s CH-53.
This three-engined aircraft dates back to the early ’60s but has few rivals. [1] There is a caveat,
however – while impressive, sea level is the CH-53’s natural enviroment.
|
|
|
Internal dimensions for the CH-53 and its rival the CH-47
Chinook are almost identical. But, whereas Chinook lifting abilities remain largely intact in
‘hot & high’ conditions (like those of Afghan summers), a single-rotor CH-53 begins to flag. To
address this, Sikorsky has plans for a ‘next-generation’ CH-53 for the US Marines, the CH-53X/HLR.
[2]
|
|
|
Sikorsky S-80 / CH-53E
Super Stallion [3] – Specifications
| Length (overall): |
22.35m (fuselage), 30.19m (rotors turning) |
| Dim. (unfolded): |
2.69m wide (fuselage only) x
5.32m high |
| Rotor diameters: |
24.08m (main rotor), 6.10m (tail rotor) |
| Cabin/hold size: |
9.14m L x 2.29m W x 1.98m
H |
| Weights: |
max internal load 13,607kg, 14,515kg hoist |
| Performance: |
cruise 278km/h, max 315km/h, range 2,074km |
| Powerplant: |
3 x 3,266kW (4380shp) GE T64 turboshafts |
|
|
|
Some sources note the difficulties that German CH-53Gs had lifting a full load in Afghanistan. Here a
little clarification is required. These are early-model, twin-engined aircraft, the CH-53Es and later
model helicopters have three engines and greater lifting power. [4] If DND is looking at new-build aircraft
(rather than rebuilds), the Model 80/CH-53E Super Stallion is Sikorsky’s only current production
model heavy lifter. [5] There are only 18 CH-53Ds in USMC reserve and a handful of the early-models in storage.
|
|
|
As with the Chinook, the CH-53s are now in hot demand (US Navy MH-53s will be backing up Marine helicopters in
Afghanistan, and Germany is refurbishing its CH-53G fleet). And adding that ‘hot and high’ conditions
are not the Super Stallion’s strong suite, a question arises: why is DND even considering the CH-53?
The answer is that, unlike the CH-47, the CH-53 was designed for shipboard operation (left). The Afghanistan
deployment provides a pretext for buying, but the planners are dreaming of JSS.
|
|
|
[1] Sikorsky designed the Model 65 in 1960, it entered USMC service, as the CH-53A, four years later. The
three-engined S-80 flew in 1975 but didn’t enter service (as the CH-53E) until 1981. The closest rival is the
CH-47. Russia’s Mi-26 Halo is in a different, much larger class.
[2] The CH-53X (now Heavy Lift Rotorcraft) is not expected in USMC service until 2016. This helicopter will
have more powerful engines to increase lift capability. The favoured engine candidate is the Royce Royce AE
1107C (as in the VTOL MV-22 Osprey but sharing cores with the AE 2100 of the C-130J). To further
compatability, the HLR may aslo have a wider fuselage to accommodate standard C-130 pallets.
[3] US naval helicopters tend to receive odd names. The Model 65s were dubbed Sea Stallion (a Norse
kenning, or poetic metaphor, for a ship ). The more powerful Model 80/CH-53Es naturally became Super
Stallions, thereby losing both the allusion and nautical connection.
[4] At sea level, the German CH-53G (equivalent to a US CH-53D) can lift 6.35 tonnes. The CH-53E can lift
almost 14.5 tonnes at sea level.
[5] Sikorsky configures Model 80Es as USMC CH-53E Super Stallion lifters or the US Navy’s MH-53E Sea
Dragon mine-clearing variant. (USAF MH-53J Pave Low III special forces variants are rebuilt early
model, twin-engined helicopters – CH-53Cs or HH-53 combat SAR.)
|
|