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. Developed in the 1970s, it entered service in 1981, and is planned to be in service well into the 2030s. It is one of the largest helicopters, and military helicopters in active service, and is operated from ships of the United State's Navy or from land.

The Navy also operates the 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.