Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low series is a long-range combat and combat helicopter (CSAR) for the United States Air Force. The series is enhanced from HH-53B/C, a variant of Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion. The HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant" was originally developed to replace HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant". The helicopter was then transferred to the Special Operations mission. The US Air Force MH-53J/M Fleet was retired in September 2008.
Video Sikorsky MH-53
Design and development
The US Air Force ordered the HH-53B and HH-53C variants for Search and Rescue units, and developed the MH-53J Pave Low version for the Special Operations mission.
Pave Low's mission is low level penetration, long distance, undetected to rejected areas, day or night, in bad weather, for infiltration, excilation and supplying special operations forces. Pave Lows often works alongside MC-130H Combat Talon for navigation, communication and combat support, and with MC-130P Combat Shadow for in-flight refueling.
The big green air body of HH-53B earned him the nickname "Super Jolly Green Giant". This name is a reference to the smaller HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant", the stretched variant of the H-3 Sea King, used in the Vietnam War for search and rescue operations (CSAR).
HH-53B
The US Air Force considers the CSAR Sikanderky S-61R/HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant" long-range helicopter to benefit and attract the more capable S-65/CH-53A. In 1966, the USAF gave a contract to Sikorsky for the development of CSAR variants from CH-53A.
The HH-53B , as indicated, is displayed:
- An air filled filler that can be opened on the right side of the nose
- Spindle external tank with a capacity of 650 gallons US (2,461Ã, Â ° C), mounted on sponsors and prescribed by struts attached to the fuselage
- The rescue faucet above the right passenger door, capable of spreading the forest penetrator in a 250-foot (76 m) steel cable, General trials of General Electric GAU-2/A 7.62 mm (0.308 in) Gatling type six-barrel machine gun, with one in front hatching on each side of the fuselage and one mounted on the tail ramp, with the shooter secured by harness
- A total of 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of armor
- Doppler navigation radar on the front abdomen
Early HH-53Bs featured T64-GE-3 turboshafts with 3,080 horsepower shafts (2,297 kW) each, but these engines were later upgraded to T64-GE-7 turboshafts with 3,925 horsepower shafts (2,927 kW). Five standard crew, including pilot, co-pilot, crew chief, and two pararescuemen.
HH-53C
HH-53B is basically a temporary type, with production quickly switching to a slightly upgraded Air Force variant HH-53C CSAR. The most noticeable difference between HH-53B and HH-53C is that the HH-53C is dispensed with a fuel tank reinforcing struts. Experience with HH-53B shows that the original tank is too large, affecting performance when they are fully fueled, and the smaller 450 gallon US (1.703 L) tank is adopted in its place. Other changes include more armor and more comprehensive radio circuits to improve communications with C-130 tankers, attack aircraft that support CSAR action, and crew waiting for rescue on land. HH-53C is just like HH-53B, with a stronger T64-GE-7 engine.
A total of 44 HH-53Cs were built, with an introductory service in August 1968. The end of the war they were equipped with pest countermeasures to handle heat-seeking missiles. Like HH-53B, HH-53C is also used for covert operations and take reendry capsules, as well as snaffging reconnaissance drones. Several people were assigned to support the Apollo space program, standing up to restore Apollo's capsule in case of a launch failure, even though such accidents never happened.
In addition to HH-53C, the Air Force acquired 20 CH-53C helicopters for public transport works. CH-53C seems very similar to HH-53C, even maintaining a rescue hoist, the most noticeable difference is that CH-53C has no in-flight fuel probe. Because CH-53C is used for covert operations, they are armed and given weapons such as HH-53C. A number of Super Jollies were changed to Pave Low special operating helicopters. PAVE or Pave is the code name of the Air Force for a number of weapon systems that use sophisticated electronics.
HH/MH-53H
USAF's Super Jollies are useful helicopters, but are basically day/night weather machines, and falling aircrew is often problematic at night or in bad weather. The limited night/foul weather sensor system called "Pave Low I" based on low-level TV imaging (LLLTV) was deployed to Southeast Asia in 1969 and fought-war on Super Jolly, but insufficient reliability.
In 1975, a HH-53B was fitted with a much better "Pave Low II" system and was named YHH-53H. This exercise proved to be much more satisfying, so the eight HH-53Cs were given improved system enhancement and redesigned PHD-53H PHD3H, with YHH-53H also being upgraded to this specification. All delivered in 1979 and 1980.
HH-53H maintains a refueling probe inside the aircraft, external fuel tank, rescue hoist, and weapon of three weapons from HH-53C; armaments are usually minigun on each side, and a.50cal (12.7mm) Browning rifle in the tail to provide more coverage and lightweight anti-armor capability. Improvements presented by HH-53H include:
- Texas Instruments AN/AAQ-10 forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imager.
- A Texas Instruments AN/APQ-158 terrain-following radar (TFR), which is a digital version of the radar used by the A-7. It is further modified to be able to provide terrain and terrain avoidance following orders simultaneously (the first aircraft capable of this unique feature).
- Canada Marconi Doppler radar navigation system.
- Litton or Honeywell inertia surveillance system (INS).
- The map view moves computerized.
- Radar warning receiver (RWR) and chaff dispenser.
FLIR and TFR mounted on different "chin" holder. HH-53H can be equipped with 27 seats for troops or 14 liters. Improvements were made by the Navy in Pensacola, reflecting the fact that the Navy is handling high-level care at the S-65 Air Force. In 1986, the live HH-53H was upgraded under the CONSTANT GREEN program, which featured a gradual increase like a cockpit with blue-green lighting compatible with night vision goggles (NVGs). They were then reclassified as "special operations" and thus given a new appointment MH-53H .
HH-53H proves itself and the Air Force decides to order more, coming with the PHD-IIJ MH-53J Enhanced configuration. The general configuration of MH-53J is similar to HH-53J, a major change that is suitable for double T64-GE-415 turbo with 4,380 shp (3,265 kW) each, as well as more armor, giving a total weight of 1,000 pounds (450 kg). There are several improved avionics as well, including a modern Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation satellite receiver system. A total of 31 HH-53B, HH-53Cs, and CH-53Cs were upgraded to the MH-53J configuration from 1986 to 1990, with all MH-53H also upgraded, providing a total of 41 MH-53Js.
MH-53J/M
The MH-53J Pave Low III helicopter is the largest, most powerful and technologically advanced transport helicopter in US Air Force inventory. Terrain-following radar and terrain-avoidance, forward looking infrared sensors, inertial navigation systems with Global Positioning System, along with projected map displays allow crews to follow field contours and avoid obstacles, making low penetration possible.
Under the Pave Low III program, the Air Force modified nine MH-53H and 32 HH-53 for night operations and bad weather. Modifications include forward-looking infrared AN/AAQ-18, inertial navigation systems, global positioning systems, Doppler navigation systems, radar-terrain radar and APQ-158 radar avoidance, on-board mission computers, enhanced navigation systems, and integrated avionics to enable proper navigation to and from the target area. The Air Force sets this modified version as MH-53Js.
The main mission of MH-53J is to lower, supply, and take special forces behind enemy lines. It can also engage in combat search and rescue missions. Low-level penetration is made possible by the state-of-the-art terrain along with the radar, as well as the infrared sensor that allows the helicopter to operate in bad weather. It's equipped with armor plating. It can carry 38 soldiers at once and shed up to 20,000 pounds (9,000 kg) of cargo with its outer hooks. It is capable of a top speed of 165 mph (266Ã, km/h) and has a 16,000 ft (4,900 m) ceiling.
The MH-53M Pave Low IV has been modified from the MH-53J configuration with the addition of the Avionics/Multi-Mission Advanced Tactical Terminal or IDAS/MATT Interactive Defense System. This system enhances the defensive capabilities of Pave Low. It provides quick access to total battlefield situations, through near the Electronic Order of Battle updates in real-time. It also provides a new level of avoidance detection with near real-time threats beyond the horizon, so the crew can avoid and beat threats, and change routes if needed.
Maps Sikorsky MH-53
Operational history
While awaiting the delivery of HH-53B, the Air Force obtained two Marine CH-53As for evaluation and training. The first of eight HH-53Bs made its first flight on March 15, 1967, and this type performed a CSAR mission with USAF Aerospace Rescue & amp; Recovery Service in Southeast Asia at the end of the year. The Air Force called HH-53B as "Super Jolly". It was used for CSAR, secret combat operations, and "seized" reendry capsules from photo-scout satellites.
The Super Jollies became headlines in November 1970 in a failed attack on North Vietnam to rescue prisoners of war from Son Tay prison camp, as well as in operations to rescue SS Mayagüez crew from Cambodian Khmer Rouge fighters in May 1975. The Air Force lost 17 Super Jollies in conflict, with 14 losing in battle - including one shot down by MiG-21 North Vietnam on January 28, 1970 when CSAR's mission ended Laos - and three lost in the accident.
HH-53B, HH-53C, and CH-53C remained in Air Force service into the late 1980s. Super Jollies operating in front-line services are painted with a variety of camouflage color schemes, while those in rescue services in the state are painted in an overall gray scheme with yellow tailband.
The Nine HH-53H Pave Lows first began operations on July 1, 1980, and were moved from the Military Lifting Command, where they had become CSAR assets, to the First Special Operation Wing after the Cloud Operation Eagle disaster. Two of the HH-53Hs were lost in training accidents in 1984, and two CH-53Cs were brought to the HH-53H standard as a substitute.
The five MH-53Js from the 20th Special Operations Squad were deployed to Panama as part of Operation Just Cause in December 1989. During the operation, MH-53J conducted missions including reconnaissance, small team insertion, medivac, logistics, and fire support. The following terrain-field and MH-53 field-avoidance, along with GPS, allow helicopters to reach destinations that other helicopters can not; in one case, the MH-53 uses precision navigation capabilities to lead the SEAL team on the Little Bird MH-6 helicopter to their remote destination. 20 SOS crew flew 193 attacks during operation, totaling 406.1 hours of flight time.
The last mission of MH-53 Pave Low was on September 27, 2008, when six remaining helicopters flew to support special operations forces in Southwest Asia. The MH-53M was retired shortly afterwards.
Variant
- TH-53A - training version used by the US Air Force (USAF)
- HH-53B - CH-53A type for search and rescue USAF (SAR)
- CH-53C - a heavy-lift version for USAF, 22 built
- HH-53C - "Super Jolly Green Giant", increase HH-53B for USAF
- S-65C-2 (S-65o) - export version for Austria, later to Israel
- S-65-C3 - export version for Israel
- YHH-53H - Pave Low I aircraft prototype
- HH-53H - Pave night infiltrator II Low
- MH-53H - HH-53H redesign
- MH-53J - "Pave Low III" conversion of special operations HH-53B, HH-53C, and HH-53H.
- MH-53M - "Pave Low IV" improves MH-53Js
For other H-53 variants, see CH-53 Sea Stallion, CH-53E Super Stallion and CH-53K King Stallion.
Operator
- United States
- United States Air Force
Aircraft on display
The MH-53M Pave Low IV, AF serial number 68-10928, was retired July 29, 2007 and on display at Air Commando Park, Hurlburt Field, Florida on December 3, 2007. The helicopter took part in the May 1975 operation salvage MayagÃÆ'¼ez incident and suffered major damage to engines, propellers, and instrument panels. The aircraft flew in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq for the past seven years of service, completing its last combat mission in Iraq during the summer of 2007.
Specifications (MH-53J)
Data from USAF MH-53J/M, International Directory, Vectorsite
General characteristics
- Crew: 6 (two pilots, two flight engineers, and two air gunners)
- Capacity: 37 troops (55 in alternate configuration)
- Length: 88 ft (28 m)
- Rotor diameter: 72 ft (21.9 m)
- Height: 25 ft (7.6 m)
- Empty weight: 32,000 lb (14,515 kg)
- Max. Take off weight: 46,000 lb (50,000 lb in war time) (21,000 kg)
- Rotor system : 6 blades on main rotor, 4 blade on tail rotor
- Powerplant: 2 ÃÆ'â € "T64-GE-100 turboshaft, 4,330 shp (3,230 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h)
- Roaming speed: 150 kt (173 mph, 278 km/h)
- Range: 600 nmi (680 mi, 1,100 km) can be extended by in-flight refueling
- Service ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,900 m)
Armament
- Any combination of three 7.62ÃÆ'â € "51mm NATO M134 Miniguns and/or 12.7ÃÆ'â €" 99mm NATO (.50 BMG) M2 Browning machine gun mounted on the left and right (just behind the deck flights) and ramp li>
Important appearances in media
See also
Pengembangan terkait
- CH-53 Sea Stallion
- CH-53E Super Stallion
- HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant"
Airplane with equivalent role, configuration, and era
- MH-47 Chinook
- Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk
Related list
- List of active US military aircraft
- List of rotorcraft
References
External links
The initial version of this article is based on a public domain article from Vectorsite owned by Greg Goebel.
- USAF MH-53 page
- MH-53J/M USAF fact sheet at Archive.is (archived December 12, 2012)
- HH-53, MH-53J Pave Low III, and Pave Low IV MH-53M page at GlobalSecurity.org
- "PAVE LOW is dedicated to AF Armament Museum". US Air Force, September 10, 2008.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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