Table of contents | |
Development and design | |
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The HH-53B and the HH-53C variants were ordered by the US Air Force for Search and Rescue units while the MH53J Pave Low was orderd for Special Operations missions The key aspects in the Pave Low's mission is the ability to fly low for long distances, to penetrate denied areas during day or night, in adverse weather in order to allow infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces. Generally the MH-53 Pave Low operates in conjunction with MC-130H Combat Talon for navigation, communication and combat support, and with MC-130P Combat Shadow for in-flight refueling. | |
HH-53B | |
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Known under the nickname "Super Jolly Green Giant" the HH-53B was intended for Search and Rescue operations. The nickname was a reference to the HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant", a stretched version of the H-3 Sea King, widely used in the Vietnam War for CSAR operations. The United States Air Force regarded favorably these Sikorsky S-61R/HH-3E "Jolly Green Giants" for their long range combat search and rescue CSAR capabilities and was interested in acquiring the more capable S-65/CH-53A. So in 1966 the USAF awarded the contract to Sikorsky to develop and build a CSAR version of the CH-53A. This helicopter was designated HH-53B. Among the key features of the HH-53B are:
Initially the HH-53Bs was equipped with T64-GE-3 turboshafts with 3,080 shaft horsepower (2,297 kW) each, later these engines were upgraded to T64-GE-7 turboshafts with 3,925 shaft horsepower (2,927 kW). The helicopters operated with a crew of five, including a pilot, copilot, a crew chief and two pararescuemen. | |
HH-53C | |
HH/MH-53H | |
MH-53J/M | |
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Technology | |
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Operational Service | |
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Variants | |
For other H-53 variants, see CH-53 Sea Stallion and CH-53E Super Stallion. | |
Accidents | |
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Specifications | |
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Similar helicopters | |
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CH-53 Sea Stallion CH-53E Super Stallion HH-3E Jolly Green Giant Boeing MH-47 Chinook | |