Sikorsky Aircraft obtained a Department of State License to offer the CH-53E Super Stallion and the MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters to approved foreign countries. The export designation for the CH-53E was the S-80E and the MH-53E was the S-80M. Then only sale under this license was for 11 S-80M-1 helicopters to the Government of Japan via Mitsubishi International Corporation, Sikorsky’s Representative for aircraft sales in Japan to the Japanese Defense Agency.

 

The initial requirement for S-80M-1 helicopters for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). was 12 helicopters. Lengthy negotiations during a time of high inflation escalated costs resulted in funding for only 11 helicopters.

 

The Japanese Sea Dragons are very similar to their US Navy equivalents, but lacked the inflight refueling probe. The Japanese Sea Dragons have a secondary transport capability and may be assigned disaster-relief missions, which are a high priority for the Self-Defense Forces.  The MH-53EJ helicopters are operated by the 111 Kokutai at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.  Starting in March 2006 the S-80M-1helicopters are being incrementally replaced by 12 MCH-101 Merlin helicopters.

 

Customer	Model No.	Nickname	Mission
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF)	MH-53E	Sea Dragon	Airborne Minesweeping

 

 

The JMSDF MH-53E was derived from the U.S Navy MH-53E for the Airborne Mine CounterMeasures (AMCM) mission.  The MH-53E was capable of carrying up to 55 troops or a 16 ton payload 50 nautical miles.  The fuel capacity of the MH-53E was increased to 3,196 gallons in large sponsons to increase tow mission time.  The MH-53E was capable of towing a variety of mine sweeping/countermeasures systems including the Magnet Mine Sweeping System (Mk-105/Edo ALQ-166), the Mk 103 mechanical mine sweeping system, the AQS-20A underwater towed body which contains a high resolution, side-looking sonar system used for minehunting along the ocean bottom, and the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS- Sea Fox) (AN/ALQ-232).  The principle difference between the U.S. Navy helicopters and the JMSDF helicopters was the deletion of the Air Refueling capability. A radome was installed on the nose of the helicopter in the fuselage refueling probe port.

 

Performance Standard Day, Sea Level
Maximum speed (Vne)	170 kts / 315 km/hr
Service ceiling	18,500 ft / 5,640 m
Rate of Climb with 25,000 lb payload	2,500 ft/min / 12.7 m/s

Weights
Maximum takeoff gross weight	73,500 lbs / 33,300 kg
Weight empty	36,336 lbs / 16,482 kg
Maximum fuel load	3,196 gal / 12,098 ltr
Useful Load	37,164 lbs / 16,857kg
Maximum External Load ( Cargo Hook)	32,000 lbs / 14,515 kg

General Data
Crew seating capacity	2
Seating capacity	Up to 36 passengers 55 with center seats

Powerplant Ratings Standard Day, Sea Level
General Electric T-64-GE-496  (3) Contingency Power	5,030 shp / 3,750 kw

Aircraft Dimensions
Main rotor diameter (blade tip circle)	79’ / 24.8 m
Tail rotor diameter (blade tip circle)	20’ / 6.1 m
Fuselage length	73’ 4” / 22.3 m
Length over-all (including rotors)	99’ 0.5” / 30.2 m
Height over-all	17’ 5.5” / 5.3 m
Main landing gear tread	15′ 6″ / 5.8 m