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[PEA]Sikorsky MH-53J Pave Low

31.9k EagleMan010  3 months ago

Part Efficient Aircrafts!!~~

Most badass helicopter IMO

By Far The Best PEA I Have Ever Made

The Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low series is a retired long-range special operations and combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter for the United States Air Force. The series was upgraded from the HH-53B/C, variants of the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion. The HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant" was initially developed to replace the HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant". The U.S. Air Force's MH-53J/M fleet was retired in September 2008.[1]The US Air Force ordered 72 HH-53B and HH-53C variants for Search and Rescue units during the Vietnam War, and later developed the MH-53J Pave Low version for Special Operations missions.

The Pave Low's mission was low-level, long-range, undetected penetration into denied areas, day or night, in adverse weather, for infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces. Pave Lows often worked in conjunction with MC-130H Combat Talon for navigation, communications and combat support,[3] and with MC-130P Combat Shadow for in-flight refueling.[4][5]

The large green airframe of the HH-53B earned it the nickname "Super Jolly Green Giant". This name is a reference to the smaller HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant", a stretched variant of the H-3 Sea King, used in the Vietnam War for combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) operations.The MH-53J Pave Low III helicopter was the largest, most powerful and technologically advanced transport helicopter in the US Air Force inventory. The terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar, forward looking infrared sensor, inertial navigation system with Global Positioning System, along with a projected map display enable the crew to follow terrain contours and avoid obstacles, making low-level penetration possible.

Under the Pave Low III program, the Air Force modified nine MH-53Hs and 32 HH-53s for night and adverse weather operations. Modifications included AN/AAQ-18 forward-looking infrared, inertial navigation system, global positioning system, Doppler navigation systems, APQ-158 terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar, an on-board mission computer, enhanced navigation system, and integrated avionics to enable precise navigation to and from target areas. The Air Force designated these modified versions as MH-53J.

The MH-53J's main mission was to drop off, supply, and pick up special operations forces behind enemy lines. It also can engage in combat search and rescue missions. Low-level penetration was made possible by a state-of-the-art terrain following radar, as well as infrared sensors that allow the helicopter to operate in bad weather. It was equipped with armor plating. It could transport 38 troops at a time and sling up to 20,000 pounds (9,000 kg) of cargo with its external hook. It was capable of a top speed of 165 mph (266 km/h) and had a ceiling of 16,000 feet (4,900 m)

Gallery

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Reference image

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Spotlights

General Characteristics

  • Created On Android
  • Wingspan 56.5ft (17.2m)
  • Length 78.1ft (23.8m)
  • Height 23.8ft (7.3m)
  • Empty Weight 16,600lbs (7,530kg)
  • Loaded Weight 17,279lbs (7,837kg)

Performance

  • Power/Weight Ratio 9.899
  • Wing Loading 276.5lbs/ft2 (1,350.0kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 62.5ft2 (5.8m2)
  • Drag Points 4817

Parts

  • Number of Parts 99
  • Control Surfaces 2
  • Performance Cost 603