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The Sikorsky S-65 is a heavy transport helicopter originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, who designated it the CH-53 Sea Stallion.
Much of the design was derived from the Sikorsky S-64. First flight was on 14 October 1964, with deliveries of the CH-53A beginning in 1966 eventually totalling 139.
The US Air Force ordered HH-53B and HH-53C variants for search and rescue work.
The CH-53E Super Stallion is a larger version with three engines, first delivered in 1981.
On special forces missions they often work alongside a MC-130 (a converted C-130 Hercules) that provides C3 and inflight refueling.
Variants
- YCH-53A - two prototypes
- CH-53A - initial production for USMC, 139 built
- RH-53A - mine countermeasures versions, 15 built
- TH-53A - stripped CH-53As used for training
- HH-53B - CH-53A type for USAF search and rescue
- CH-53C - heavy-lift version for USAF, 22 built
- HH-53C - "Super Jolly Green Giant", improved HH-53B for USAF
- S-65C-2 - export version for Austria, later to Israel
- S-65-C3 - export version for Israel
- CH-53D - CH-53A with improved transmission, 124 built
- RH-53D - improved anti-mine version
- VH-53D - two CH-53Ds for USMC VIP transport
- CH-53G - 110 built by VFW under license
- YHH-53H - prototype Pave Low I craft
- HH-53H - Pave Low III night infiltrator
- MH-53H - redesignation of HH-53H
- MH-53J - "Pave Low III Enhanced", several older types converted
- CH-53D Yas'ur 2000 - CH-53D upgraded and improved by the IAI to extend life span beyond 2000
For CH-53E variants see CH-53E Super Stallion.
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