Guide Note

The MH 53 Sea Dragon is among the largest and heaviest class of helicopters used by the U.S. Navy.¹

Fast Facts

1. Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft division of United Technologies²
2. Predecessor: CH-53E Super Stallion²
3. Active duty since 1981²
4. Used for: Heavy lifting and mine sweeping²
5. Can operate from carriers²
6. Troop transport capacity: 55 soldiers¹
7. Payload capacity: 16 tons for 50 miles; 10 tons for 500 miles¹
8. Maximum airspeed: 150 knots²
9. Ceiling: 10,000 feet²
10. Maximum range: 1050 nautical miles²

A MH 53 Sea Dragon flying in heavy fog crashed south of Corpus Christi, Texas, near the Gulf of Mexico, on January 16, 2008. The helicopter was reportedly on a training mission. Three crew members were killed upon impact.³