Hélicoptère de recherche et sauvetage au combat à long rayon d’application
Premier vol
15 mars 1967
Construit
72
Galerie de photos d’un Sikorsky MH-53,
The Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low series is a long-range 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 « Géant vert super jolly » a été initialement développé pour remplacer le HH-3 « Géant vert Jolly ». Les hélicoptères sont ensuite passés à des missions d’opérations spéciales. L’US Air Force’La flotte de MH-53J/M a été mise hors service en septembre 2008.
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The Master of the Dark
Lla Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Lowwas the most sophisticated helicopter in the world during its service. Evolved from the HH-53 « Géant vert super jolly » used for combat search and rescue in Vietnam, the MH-53JPave Low IIIand MH-53MPave Low IVwere dedicated special operations platforms. Their mission was simple but incredibly dangerous: fly low-level, long-range missions into enemy territory, at night and in marginal weather, to insert or extract Special Forces. With its massive lifting power and « toutes saisons » sensors, the Pave Low was the « heavy lifter » of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
Terrain Following Radar (TFR): Lla « Pave » in its name refers to the sophisticated electronics suite. The MH-53 featured a massive nose-mounted radar that allowed it to fly at tree-top level in total darkness or thick fog, automatically following the contours of the Earth.
The Refueling Probe:To achieve « infinite » range, the Pave Low featured a long, extendable refueling probe on the right side of the nose. This allowed it to drink fuel from HC-130 tankers while flying mid-air.
Titanium Armor:The pilots and critical components were shielded by titanium armor plating, necessary for an aircraft expected to fly through « hot » landing zones at low altitudes.
External Fuel Tanks:To support its thirsty twin-turbine engines, the MH-53 almost always carried two massive 650-gallon external fuel tanks on outriggers attached to the fuselage.
Combat History: Leading the Way
Desert Storm:In the opening minutes of the 1991 Gulf War, MH-53Js led the way for Apache gunships to destroy Iraqi radar sites, « opening the door » for the air war. They used their precise navigation systems to guide the Apaches across the featureless desert.
Operation Ivory Coast:Its predecessor, the HH-53, was the lead aircraft in the 1970Son Tay Raid, a daring attempt to rescue POWs deep inside North Vietnam.
The Last Flight:The MH-53 was retired in 2008, replaced by the CV-22 Osprey. Many pilots were heartbroken to see it go, as the « Lead Sled » was known for its ability to take immense battle damage and keep flying.
IDAS/MATT:The MH-53M « Pave Low IV » featured an Interactive Defensive Avionics System that gave the crew real-time « God’s eye » views of enemy threats, allowing them to dodge missiles and radar sites in real-time.
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