Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1980–
Quantity
46
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · COLD WAR
8
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the utility / transport helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1974
- Service Entry Year1981
- Crew5
- Passengers55
- Primary Rolemine countermeasures and heavy-lift transport
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
- Engine TypeGeneral Electric T64-GE-416/419 turboshaft
- Number of Engines3
- Engine Power (each)3,266 kW
- Transmission Rating10,071 kW
- Rotor Configurationsingle main rotor with tail rotor
- Main Rotor Diameter24.08 m
- Main Rotor Blades7
- Anti-Torque Typetail rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed315 km/h
- Cruise Speed278 km/h
- Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)315 km/h
- Service Ceiling5,640 m
- Hover Ceiling (IGE)3,520 m
- Hover Ceiling (OGE)2,895 m
- Range2,070 km
- Ferry Range3,330 km
- Rate of Climb12.7 m/s
- Endurance180
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Fuselage Length22.35 m
- Height8.46 m
- Rotor Disc Area455.3
- Empty Weight15,071 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight31,640 kg
- Useful Load16,569 kg
- Cabin Volume31.9
◆Armament & Mission5MOD.5
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload13,600 kg
- Gunnone
- Sling Load Capacity16,330 kg
- Rescue HoistNo
▤Avionics7MOD.7
⬢Survivability6MOD.6
▲Production2MOD.2
- Total Built46
- Variants1
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1980
- Operational Statusin service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1980Production started
46
years in service
46
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon // SIBLING VARIANTS
06 / MASS Score
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS RANKING Utility / Transport Helicopters · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
18UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS8COLD WAR · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS303UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS96PERFORMANCE/PRICE · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theUtility / Transport Helicopterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
Autopilot/AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System) is an avionics suite that automatically controls a helicopter’s attitude, navigation and flight path, providing stability augmentation and reducing pilot workload.
Seats designed to absorb crash forces, reducing injury to occupants.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources