Rajan Wilcox
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military. It is one of the largest military helicopters in service and is used for transporting cargo and personnel, as well as for minesweeping and logistical support. The Super Stallion is equipped with three gas turbine engines and has a maximum external payload capacity of 16,330 kg. Given its large size and capabilities, the Super Stallion consumes a significant amount of fuel. This article will explore the fuel usage of the Super Stallion and provide insights into its fuel efficiency and performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Maximum external payload | 16,330 kg |
| Number of engines | 3 |
| Engine type | General Electric T64-GE-416/416A turboshaft engines |
| Engine power | 4,380 shaft horsepower each |
| Number of rotor blades | 7 |
| Cruise speed | 173 mph (278 km/h) |
| Range | 621 miles (1,000 km) |
| Endurance | 4.5 hours |
| Fuel capacity | 1,465 litres (internal fuel tank); 4,921 litres (external drop tanks); 7,949 litres (additional tanks for extended range operations) |
| Maximum gross weight | 73,500 pounds |
| Maximum payload | 30,000 lb (13.6 t) |
| Maximum number of troops | 55 |
| Maximum internal payload | 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) |
| Maximum external payload (on sling) | 13,000 lb (5,900 kg) |
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What You'll Learn
The Super Stallion's fuel capacity
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military. It was developed in the 1970s and entered service in 1981. The Super Stallion is one of the largest military helicopters in service and is used for transporting cargo, personnel, and equipment. It has a maximum external payload capacity of 16,330 kg and can carry up to 55 troops or 30,000 lb of cargo.
The Super Stallion has a cruise speed of 173 mph and a range of 621 miles. It is equipped with three General Electric turbofan engines, rated at 3,266 kW each. The helicopter's fuel capacity comes from several sources. Firstly, it has an internal two-cell fuel tank that provides 1,465 litres of fuel. Additionally, it has self-sealing bladder fuel tanks installed in the forward sections of the sponsons, each with a capacity of 1,192 litres.
For extended-range operations, the Super Stallion can be fitted with additional fuel tanks. It can accommodate seven internal ferry tanks, each with a capacity of 300 US gallons (1,136 litres), increasing the total fuel capacity by 7,949 litres. Alternatively, drop tanks with a total capacity of 4,921 litres can be installed externally on each sponson. The sponsons on the MH-53E variant are larger and can hold 21,000 pounds of fuel, providing 4.5 hours of endurance.
The Super Stallion also has the capability for in-flight refuelling, which further extends its range and endurance. It is fitted with a forward-extendable in-flight refuelling probe and can also hoist hose refuel from a surface ship while hovering. This flexibility in fuel capacity allows the Super Stallion to undertake a variety of missions and adapt to different operational requirements.
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In-flight refuelling
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military. It is one of the largest military helicopters in service and is used for transporting personnel and equipment, lifting heavy loads, and conducting minesweeping missions. The Super Stallion is equipped with three gas turbine engines and has a cruise speed of 173 mph (278 km/h) and a range of 621 miles (1,000 km).
The Super Stallion has an internal two-cell fuel tank that provides 1,465 litres of fuel. For extended-range operations, additional fuel tanks can be installed, providing up to 7,949 litres of additional fuel. The helicopter can also be refuelled in-flight, using a forward-extendable in-flight refuelling probe, or by hoisting hose refuelling from a surface ship while in hover mode. This in-flight refuelling capability allows the Super Stallion to extend its range and endurance, enabling it to carry out long-duration missions.
The Super Stallion's in-flight refuelling capability has been utilised in various operations, including the rescue of American and foreign allies from Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1990. During this mission, two CH-53E Super Stallions refuelled twice en route, demonstrating the helicopter's extended range and endurance capabilities.
The CH-53K King Stallion, the latest variant of the Super Stallion, has also successfully demonstrated in-flight refuelling capabilities. During a test in 2020, a CH-53K completed a 4.5-hour flight and received fuel from a KC-130J in-flight refuelling tanker. This milestone validated the CH-53K's ability to conduct extended operations and further enhances its operational flexibility.
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Fuel usage per hour
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military. It is one of the largest military helicopters in service and is powered by three General Electric turbofan engines, type T64-GE-416, rated at 3,266 kW. The Super Stallion has a cruise speed of 173 mph (278 km/h) and a range of 621 miles (1,000 km).
The Super Stallion's fuel usage per hour is not explicitly stated, but we can estimate it based on the information provided. The helicopter has an endurance of four and a half hours, during which it can move equipment over rugged terrain in bad weather and at night. This endurance is provided by a combination of its internal fuel tanks and external drop tanks.
The Super Stallion has an internal two-cell fuel tank that provides 1,465 litres of fuel. Additionally, it can be fitted with external drop tanks, each with a capacity of 4,921 litres, more than three times the internal fuel tank capacity. For extended-range operations, the helicopter can be equipped with seven additional tanks, providing an extra 7,949 litres of fuel.
The MH-53E variant of the Super Stallion, used by the US Navy for long-range minesweeping missions, has enlarged sponsons full of 21,000 pounds of fuel, providing the same endurance of four and a half hours. This equates to approximately 4,666 pounds of fuel per hour.
Based on the available information, we can estimate that the fuel usage of the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is likely between 2,000 and 5,000 pounds per hour, depending on factors such as payload, speed, and flight conditions.
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Fuel tank size
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military. It is one of the largest military helicopters in service and is powered by three General Electric turbofan engines.
The Super Stallion has an internal two-cell fuel tank that provides 1,465 litres of fuel. Self-sealing bladder fuel tanks, each with a capacity of 1,192 litres, are installed in the forward sections of the sponsons. The sponsons also contain expanded fuel stores internally.
For extended-range operations, the helicopter can be fitted with seven additional tanks, providing an additional 7,949 litres of fuel. The Super Stallion can also extend its range and endurance through in-flight refuelling. It is fitted with a forward-extendable in-flight refuelling probe and can also hoist hose refuel from a surface ship while in hover mode.
The MH-53E Sea Dragon variant of the Super Stallion has enlarged sponsons that can hold 21,000 pounds of fuel, providing 4.5 hours of endurance.
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Fuel efficiency
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift transport helicopter operated by the United States military. It is one of the largest military helicopters in service and is used to transport personnel and equipment, lift heavy loads, and conduct minesweeping missions.
The Super Stallion is equipped with three General Electric T64-GE-416/416A turboshaft engines, each delivering 4,380 shaft horsepower. The helicopter has a cruise speed of 173 mph (278 km/h) and a range of 621 miles (1,000 km).
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Super Stallion has an internal two-cell fuel tank that provides 1,465 litres of fuel. Additionally, it has side-mounted fuel sponsons that can hold up to 21,000 pounds of fuel, providing 4.5 hours of endurance. For extended-range operations, the helicopter can be fitted with seven additional tanks, providing an additional 7,949 litres of fuel.
The Super Stallion is also capable of in-flight refuelling, which further extends its range and endurance. During Operation Eastern Exit in 1990, two CH-53Es flew 532.45 miles at night, refuelling twice en route to complete their mission.
The MH-53E Sea Dragon, a variant of the Super Stallion, has even greater fuel capacity due to its enlarged sponsons. It can be fitted with up to seven 300-US-gallon (1,136-litre) ferry tanks internally, providing substantially greater fuel storage and endurance.
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Frequently asked questions
The Super Stallion has a fuel capacity of 180 gallons, which includes 20 gallons for climb-out and reserve. Its fuel burn at cruise is 14.5 gallons per hour at 12,500 feet while carrying two or six people.
The Super Stallion has a range of 2,500 statute miles. With a cruise speed of 173 mph, it can travel up to 621 miles without refuelling.
The Super Stallion boasts over 90 miles per gallon per seat passenger mile, making it the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the world. The Boeing 747, for comparison, achieves 50 mpg per seat passenger mile.
The MH-53E Sea Dragon has enlarged sponsons that can hold 21,000 pounds of fuel, providing 4.5 hours of endurance. The Super Stallion, on the other hand, has a maximum fuel capacity of 13,000 litres with the addition of seven 1,136-litre ferry tanks.
