Military Helicopter Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion Flies Over Orange County
On Sunday, a Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion was caught on video flying over Orange County. There are 32 military bases in California as a whole, so it’s not too unusual to see military aircraft, although seeing this gigantic helicopter is very rare.
The image and video do not truly show just how big this gigantic helicopter is, which weighs over 33000kg and can carry a staggering 55 troops at once, as well as traveling a distance of 1000km without needing to refuel.
For those wondering, the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC). It is one of the largest and most powerful helicopters in the world, primarily designed for the transportation of troops, equipment, and supplies in support of amphibious and shore-based operations.
The CH-53E has been in service with the USMC since the early 1980s. There are plans to replace it with the CH-53K King Stallion in the future. The CH-53K is an upgraded and more advanced version of the Super Stallion, offering increased lifting capacity, range, and performance.
As for the cost of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, pricing for military aircraft can vary significantly depending on factors such as the specific configuration and equipment, but the unit cost for a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter is estimated to be in the range of $37-40 million per aircraft.
