• Special forces helicopter • Combat rescue • Advanced sensors
О no of the biggest and most versatile combat helicopters ever developed in the West, Sikorsky’s S-65 serves with the USAF as the HH-/MH-53. In the hands of skilled pilots, the S-65 can lift heavy cargoes, carry special forces troops far behind onemy lines, or successfully rescue downed airmen, using the latest technology. From Vietnam as tho HH-53C to the Porsian Gulf as the MH – 53J, the S-65 has been a great success story.
T Vietnam insertion
HH-53Bs were tasked with a number of covert missions In Vietnam. Troops wore often dropped by rope to avoid tho risk of landing in enemy territory.
A Sensitive nose
All of the MH-53J’S primary sensors are clustered around the nose. They include the AN/AAQ-10 FUR below the in-flight refuelling probe on the starboard side.
A Evolving from the CH-53C
There was little difference between the pure transport CH-53C and the HH-53B. excopt for the latter’s refuelling probe.
T Pave Low III
Although short-lived, the six HH-53H helicopters introduced the Pave Low III sensor package.
FACTS AND FIGURES
► Having originally used the CH-53A in 1966/67, tho USAF received a handful more In 1989 as TH-53A trainers.
► Sponson bracing struts allowed the HH – 53B to carry 2460-I (650-gal.) drop-tanks.
► Two HH-53CS flew 14500 km (9010 ml.) with only seven stops.
► Some CH-53C and HH-53B helicopters remained unmodified until the late 1980s, when they became MH-53Js.
► MH-53H and MH-53J Pave Low lls were involved in the US invasion of Panama.
► MH-53 pilots receive special operations training on the TH-53A.
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MH-53J Pave Low III Enhanced
Type: twin ongmod combat search and rescue and special operations helicopter
Powerplant: two 2935-kw (3.935-hp) General Electric T64-GE-7A turboshaft engines
Maiimum speed: 315 km h (198 m p h) at sea level
Initial climb rate: 631 m mm (2.070 i. p ni. i at sea tevet
Range: 368 km (540 mi.) with maximum auxiliary fuel
Weights: empty 10691 kg (23.570 to.); mission take-off 17344 kg (38.24010.): maxirmxn takeoff 19051 kg (42.000 to.)
Armament: up to throo 7.62-mm Miniguns or three 12.7-mm macfvne-guna mounted m the s*de door, роп side escape hatch and on the rear loading ramp
Dimensions:
man rotor diameter fuselage length height
main rotor disc area
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Left: This MH-S3J carries a gun mount on its loading ramp. It can bo easily removed and stowed in flight.
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between die helicopter and ИС-130 in-flight a-fuciling tankers, the IIII-53C served into the late l9NOs ‘Hie last machine was then convened to MH-53J Pave Low III Enhanced standard Developed via the unsuccessful HH-S3H Pave Low II. the .MH-53J is likely to serve for many more years
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Above: With weapons fitted in all positions, this *Super Jolly’ shows a typical configuration for special forces operations. MH-53Js often fly alone on such missions.
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22.02 m <17 ft 3 in.) 20.47m (87 П. 2 m.) 5.22 m (17 ft. 2 in.) 380 87 rtf <4100 sq It.)
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Л гк/тЛж of aystoma nr* orretoyed to protect tfw> htAccpter from the onnmy They include pownrtii nfrn-rod courMormonwos dovtcua mounted аРсмо ouch uwwr
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This aircraft is shown in the markings worn while based at RAF Woodbridgo. Suffolk, with the USAF"* 67th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing. The Wing has since withdrawn from Britain.
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Seem сотгтопсзіюг» tocWme. a gtobai oosrtionng system and rvght-viaton gogge COmpabWRy enabte tee MH-53J to perform dangerous missions atone Tho comprofwnoMi aMcncs (It и ndtentod by the large number of antnmes
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AOhough cr^nalty designed t m« rape handing of BgW veheiee. the man cvvlr /j ramp rise otters a Quick method of ontonng cr leaving the Sopor JoV tn the hast ot battle
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слеп of INI socraicn fuel tanka nokto Т89Э Mrws Of tool The tanks же p»!t«nabo m? igr, t. put mo MH-S3J e rarefy seen wdhou! them
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Vost of the Pave low IB sensor package a cUetorod «rout’d tho noso FUR (forw. vd locking infra-rod) rndorre and tho larger radorou 1 me terran-toaowng rad«v have boon removed from the arcratt
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‘Super Jolly’ in the Gulf
! «W precise dotaits of MH-53J operations ^4 і ttie First Gulf War have emerged, but it is known that tho hekeoptor was used for anti – S-ucl missions as well as its traditional rotes.
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HIGH-RISK MISSIONS: Pavo Low III helicopters used simitar tactics when depositing special forces teams deop within Iraq. Many of Wiese sorties were aimed at Scud missite launchers
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EGRESS: After leadng the AH-64 As to their target, the MH-53JS protected thorn from missile attack during ogress using infra-rod decoy flares.
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CH-S3E SOPER STAIL10R SIS katl (194 СИ-470 CMN00K ZM kaak (Ш n. p.k |
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AIR STRIKES BEGIN: With thowi two koy mstaitationr. removed. coaMlon warplanes entered Iraq undotcctod.
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Sikorsky
