Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion

CH-53E Super Stallion MH-53E Sea Dragon
A CH-53E Super Stallion with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
Role	Heavy-lift cargo helicopter Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight	1 March 1974
Introduction	1981
Status	In service
Primary users	United States Marine Corps United States Navy Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (historical)
Produced	1978–1980s[citation needed]
Number built	172[1][2][3]
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. The less common MH-53E Sea Dragon 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 is beginning to enter service in the 2020s, but most of the Super Stallions are still in service as are the MH-53E Sea Dragons.