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Sikorsky CH-53 Super Stallion and King Stallion
The CH-53 is the Marine Corps' heavy-lift helicopter family: three-engine aircraft built by Sikorsky that move troops, heavy equipment and supplies from ship to shore. The CH-53E Super Stallion can take off carrying 16 tons of cargo and deliver it 50 miles away, yet it is compact enough to fit on an amphibious warfare ship. Its replacement, the CH-53K King Stallion, is a new-build helicopter with fly-by-wire controls and more powerful engines, which the Navy calls the most powerful helicopter in the Department of Defense. This site lists both versions. ICAO files the CH-53 under the type code H53.
The variants side by side
| Variant | Range | Seats | Length | First flight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH-53E Super Stallion | – | – | 99 ft 1 in (30.19 m) | – | In service |
| CH-53K King Stallion | – | Freighter, payload 27,000 lb (12,247 kg) | 99 ft 1 in (30.19 m) | – | In service |