The original Sikorsky S-60 proved itself as a heavy-lift helicopter through its sole example completed. This model was born from the established CH-47 "Mojave" (detailed elsewhere on this site) of the United States military and used as the basis for the dimensionally larger S-64 "Skycrane" heavy-lift series. The large helicopter - easily identifiable by its largely missing fuselage section - has seen consistent service in the civilian market since introduction in the 1960s. It served as the base design for the military-minded CH-54 "Tarhe" line as well. A prototype went airborne for the first time on May 9th, 1962 and, in 1992, production rights for the series was obtained by Erickson Air-Crane which has taken on manufacture of the large helicopter from Sikorsky since.
Total production of S-64 units was 110 beginning with the original S-64 built in three examples. These were followed by six evaluation models for the United States Army as the S-64A. From that came the S-64B which was the civilian-minded version of the Army's CH-54A model and seven were produced. Under Erickson, the line was broadened to include the S-64E and S-64F model marks, these becoming upgraded forms of the CH-54A and CH-54B respectively - the F-model introducing Pratt & Whitney JFTD12-5A series engines.
Civilian market operators of the S-64 are found in Italy, South Korea and the United States. Its primary role is in firefighting where its unique configuration allows the helicopter to carry a considerable water load over uneven terrain, dropping its contents onto raging wildfires with the hope of putting the fire source out.
Production of the military-minded Tarhe yielded 105 total units of its own beginning with the six YCH-54A pre-production models. These were followed by the CH-54A production form which fitted 2 x PW T73-P-1 series turboshaft engines of 4,500 horsepower and 54 examples were built to the standard. The CH-54B saw an increase in overall weight as well as a twin-wheeled undercarriage introduced while power was now served through PW T73-P799 turboshaft engines of 4,800 horsepower. 37 examples were manufactured.
Beyond its service with the United States Army, the CH-54 has been featured by the NASA service of the United States for various program work. In military use, the Tarhe has hauled all manner of heavy objects - from oversized bombs and attack helicopters to combat tanks and cargo containers. A special version even featured skies as its undercarriage.
March 2018 - Flight tests of an S-65 featuring a composite main rotor blade assembly are ongoing. Certification is scheduled for later in 2018 and will be an offered upgrade to E- and F-models as well as to the related CH-54A/B model family. The airfoil on the new blade design is expected to increase overall efficiency of these aging platforms.
February 2020 - An improved Skycrane form, the S-64F+, has been detailed with all-modern powerplants, composite rotors, and modernized avionics suite. In addition to this, an autonomous operating function is being considered through the Sikorsky "Matrix" suite, allowing the fire-fighting forms to operate without a manned crew in danger.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Sikorsky CH-54B Tarhe Heavy-Lift Cargo / Firefighting Helicopter.
2 x Pratt & Whitney T73-P-700 turboshaft engines developing 4,800 shaft horsepower each powering a six-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor. Propulsion
149 mph 240 kph | 130 kts Max Speed
18,373 ft 5,600 m | 3 miles Service Ceiling
230 miles 370 km | 200 nm Operational Range
1,330 ft/min 405 m/min Rate-of-Climb
Structure The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Sikorsky CH-54B Tarhe Heavy-Lift Cargo / Firefighting Helicopter.
3 (MANNED) Crew
88.5 ft 26.97 m O/A Length
72.0 ft (21.95 m) O/A Width
25.4 ft (7.75 m) O/A Height
19,798 lb (8,980 kg) Empty Weight
46,297 lb (21,000 kg) MTOW
Variants Notable series variants as part of the Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe / Erickson S-64 Skycrane family line.
YCH-54A - Six Pre-Production Aircraft
CH-54A - Initial Production Model; fitted with 2 x T-73-P1 series turboshaft engines of 4,500 shaft horsepower; 54 examples produced.
CH-54B - Second Production Model; increased weight; based on the CH-54A; fitted with 2 x T-73-P700 turboshaft engines of 4,800 shaft horsepower; 29 examples produced.
S-64 "Skycrane" - Civilian Variant of the US Army CH-54 Tarhe; 3 examples produced.
S-64A - Evaluation Models for the US Army; 6 examples delivered.
S-64E - Civilian Version based on the CH-54A production model for the US Army; 7 examples produced.
S-64 "Aircrane" - Current Civilian Production Form.
S-64E - Upgraded CH-54A production models; single new-build example.
S-64F - UPgraded CH-54B production models; fitted with 2 x Pratt & Whitney JFTD12-5A series engines.
S-64F+ - Proposed all-modern offering with Sikorsky autonomous flight suite (Matrix).
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe / Erickson S-64 Skycrane. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.
Total Production: 215 Units Contractor(s): Sikorsky Aircraft / Erickson Air-Crane - USA
[ Italy; South Korea; United States ]
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Front right side view of an Erickson Skycrane helicopter on display; color
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Distant right side view of an Erickson Skycrane helicopter on display; color
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Close-up detail view of the main rotor mast on an Erickson Skycrane helicopter on display; color
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Low-angled right side view of an incoming Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe helicopter; color
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A Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe helicopter towing the M551 Sheridan tank; color
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A Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe helicopter in forward operations during the Vietnam War; color
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A Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe helicopter brings in an Army utility truck; color
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A Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe helicopter with specialized ski undercarriage; color
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A pair of modified Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe helicopters in flight; color
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An Erickson S-64 Skycrane helicopter at rest; color
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