| CH-53E Super Stallion MH-53E Sea Dragon | |
|---|---|
 A CH-53E Super Stallion with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit | |
| General information | |
| Type | Heavy-lift cargo helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | United States Marine Corps |
| Number built | 172[1][2][3] |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1978–1980s[citation needed] |
| Introduction date | 1981 |
| First flight | 1 March 1974 |
| Developed from | Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion |
| Developed into | Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion |
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy lift helicopter operated by the United States military. As the Sikorsky S-80, it was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, adding a seventh blade to the main rotor, and canting the tail rotor 20°. It was built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps. Developed in the 1970s, it entered service in 1981, and is planned to be in service into the 2030s. It is one of the largest helicopters, and military helicopters in service, and is operated from U.S. Navy ships or from land.
The Navy also operates the MH-53E Sea Dragon which fills the United States Navy's need for long-range minesweeping or airborne mine countermeasures missions, and performs heavy-lift duties for the Navy. The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, which has new engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin, is set to replace the CH-53E and enter service in the 2020s. Most of the Super Stallions are in service as MH-53E Sea Dragons.