Sikorsky MH-53 (Pave Low)

Multirole Transport Helicopter

United States | 1981

"The mammoth Sikorksy MH-53 Pave Low series of helicopters proved critical to US Special Forces operations all over the globe."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/28/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

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Firepower

Performance

Survivability

Versatility

Impact

The MH-53 was a series of large transport helicopters operated by the United States Air Force in the special operations role. The MH-53 designation breaks down as "M" standing for Multi-Mission and "H" standing for helicopter. The designation came about after extensive modifications were made to existing HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giants" (or "Super Jollies") operated by the USAF in Vietnam. After the war, these HH-53 aircraft were fitted with a myriad of improved systems, new engines and new rotors - earning them an all-new designation through the "Pave Low" program, a program which greatly increased the type's ability for night and adverse weather operations. These helicopters were designed for long-range, low-level flights in an effort to assist ground special forces through clandestine insertion, extraction and resupply as needed - often times behind enemy lines.

The MH-53 was operated by a crew of six consisting of two pilots (officers), two flight engineers and two enlisted gunners. Defensive suppression armament can consist of 3 x 7.62mm miniguns or 3 x 12.7mm heavy caliber machine guns. The MH-53 can record speeds of up to 165 miles per hour, a ceiling of up to 16,000 feet and a range of 690 miles. Power is derived from twin General Electric T64-GE-100 series turboshaft engines developing 4,330 horsepower each and powering a six-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor.

The MH-53J "Pave Low III" series was based on modified MH-53H and HH-53 models for the special forces insertion/resupply/extraction role. Thirty-two HH-53s along with nine MH-53H systems were selected for Pave Low III modification. Onboard systems included GPS, inertial navigation and Forward-Looking InfraRed (FLIR) along with an APQ-158 terrain-following and avoidance radar. This allowed the MH-53 the ability to complete low-light, low-level, all-weather flights consistent with special forces operations. Improved armor protection for the crew and systems also greeted the design.

The MH-53M "Pave Low IV" represented the final iteration of the Pave Low series. These systems were upgraded platforms of the MH-53J "Pave Low III" and fitted with improved defensive capabilities. Chief among these is the implementation of the Interactive Defensive Avionics System/Multi-Mission Advanced Tactical Terminal (IDAS/MATT). Pave Low IV gave MH-53 crews access to battlefield situations via a color digital map (even visible with the use of night vision goggles). The map was updated via satellite linkages and displayed near real-time data (including threats) along the flight route. MH-53Ms served on through 2008 in the special operations role in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The MH-53 series was then officially retired from active service with the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) in 2008. Dating back to their days as the HH-53 in the Vietnam War (a famous group of five such aircraft taking part in Operation Kingpin - the rescue of American POWs from Son Tay prison near Hanoi), these aircraft served for many decades in their modified forms. Operations in Desert Storm were also conducted with this platform.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Sikorsky MH-53M (Pave Low IV) Multirole Transport Helicopter.

2 x General Electric T64-GE-100 turboshaft engines developing 4,330 shaft horsepower each and driving six-blade main rotor and four-bladed tail rotor.
Propulsion

196 mph
315 kph | 170 kts
Max Speed

15,997 ft
4,876 m | 3 miles
Service Ceiling

690 miles
1,111 km | 600 nm
Operational Range

City-to-City Ranges
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Sikorsky MH-53M (Pave Low IV) Multirole Transport Helicopter.

6
(MANNED)
Crew

91.9 ft
28.00 m
O/A Length

71.9 ft
(21.90 m)
O/A Width

24.9 ft
(7.60 m)
O/A Height

32,000 lb
(14,515 kg)
Empty Weight

46,297 lb
(21,000 kg)
MTOW

Design Balance
The three qualities reflected below are altitude, speed, and range. The more full the box, the more balanced the design.

RANGE

ALT

SPEED

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Sikorsky MH-53 (Pave Low) Multirole Transport Helicopter .

Typical: 3 x 7.62mm M134 Miniguns OR 3 x 12.7mm Browning M2 Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs) positioned one at left fuselage side, one at right fuselage side and one on the rear loading ramp. Two external side sponson hardpoints reserved for external fuel stores.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Sikorsky MH-53 (Pave Low) family line.

MH-53 - Base Series Designation

YHH-53H "Pave Low I" - Prototype Designation

HH-53H "Pave Low II" - Night Infiltrator variant

MH-53H - Redesignation of HH-53H production mark

MH-53J "Pave Low III" - Special Forces variant based on HH-53B, HH-53C and HH-53H production models.

MH-53M "Pave Low IV" - Improved and modernized MH-53J production mark.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Sikorsky MH-53 (Pave Low). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 41 Units
Contractor(s): Sikorsky Aircraft - USA

[ United States (retired) ]

Relative Max Speed

Hi: 200mph

Lo: 100mph

Aircraft Max Listed Speed (196mph).

Graph Average of 150 MPH.

Era Crossover

Showcasing Aircraft Era Crossover (if any)

Max Alt Visualization

Production Comparison

41

36183

44000

Entry compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian) total production.

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

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Aviation Timeline

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