The Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low series was a long-range special operations and combat search and rescue helicopter of the US Air Force, upgraded from the HH-53B and HH-53C variants of the CH-53 Sea Stallion. The HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant was first developed to replace the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant. The Air Force ordered 72 HH-53B, CH-53C and HH-53C helicopters for rescue and special operations units during the Vietnam War, and later developed the MH-53J Pave Low for all-weather special operations missions, flying low-level, long-range, undetected penetrations into denied areas. The MH-53J and MH-53M fleet was retired in September 2008.
Facts
Engine Class Top Speed (km/h) Maximum Mass (kg) Connections
Exemplifies
Source Sikorsky MH-53 (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Sikorsky MH-53 (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Sikorsky MH-53 (Wikipedia)
Variants
with introduction to service in August 1968
Specifications
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T64-GE-100 turboshaft engines
Specifications, mass
Empty weight: 32,000 lb (14,515 kg)
Specifications, maximum mass
Max takeoff weight: 46,000 lb (20,865 kg)
Specifications, top speed
Maximum speed: 170 kn (200 mph, 310 km/h)
Lead
The series was upgraded from the HH-53B/C, variants of the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion.
Lead, country of origin
long-range special operations and combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter for the United States Air Force
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