http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=65505

General Characteristics
Unit cost: $25 million (1993 dollars)

Crew: Two officers (pilots); four enlisted (two flight engineers, two aerial gunners)

Date Deployed: 1981

Inventory: Active force, 41; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0


H-53 AIRCRAFT DESCRIPTION: [CH-53E] | [MH-53E]
CH-53E Sea Stallion

Contractor:

Sikorsky Aircraft (Prime), General Electric (Engines)

Airframe:

Seven-blade main rotor
Four-blade canted tail rotor
Designed for land- and ship-based operations
Automatic flight control and anti-icing systems give the helicopter an all-weather flight capability.
Empty weight: 33,226 pounds
Maximum gross weight: 73,500 pounds
Fuel capacity: 15,483 pounds (2,277 gallons/JP-5)
Overall length: 99 ft 1/2 in
Height: 28 ft 4 in
Rotor diameter: 79 ft
Can be configured for wheeled or palletized cargo
Seats for 55 passengers or litters for 24 patients
External cargo of up to 36,000 pounds may be transported by using either the single- or two-point suspension system.
Can conduct air-to-air refueling and helicopter in-flight refueling (HIFR)
Has provisions for internal range extension tanks
Power Plant:

Three General Electric T64-GE-416/416A turboshaft engines
Each engine can produce 4,380 shaft horsepower
Performance:

Maximum range (unrefueled): 480 nautical miles
Ferry range: 990 nautical miles
Maximum endurance (unrefueled): 5.1 hours
Maximum allowable airspeed: 150 knots
Countermeasures:


APR-39 Radar Hazard Warning Set
ALE-39 Chaff and Flare Dispenser
ALQ-157 Infrared Jammer
AAR-47 Missile Warning System

Mission and Capabilities:

Primary mission is movement and vertical delivery of cargo and equipment.
When properly equipped, can be used for airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM)
Designed to carry 32,000 pounds of cargo at cruise speed to a range of no less than 50 nautical miles
At destination, the helicopter can discharge its cargo, equipment, or troops and return no less than 50 nautical miles—arriving with at least 20 minutes of fuel in reserve.
Designed to retrieve another CH-53E at a range of 20 nautical miles
Program Summary:

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have purchased 172 CH-53Es and have accepted delivery of 149.
Operated by six tactical squadrons, one training squadron, and one special mission squadron.
Current procurement objective for support of active force requirements is 186 aircraft.
Slated to replace the aging RH-53D in two Marine Corps Reserve squadrons.
Planned to be operational through 2025
Improved operational capability at night and during periods of reduced visibility will be provided by incorporating Helicopter Night Vision System (HNVS) and the Aviator Night Vision System/Head-Up Display (ANVIS/HUD).
Enhanced night fighting capability is provided by modifying interior and exterior lighting systems for Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatibility.
Pilot and copilot crashworthy seats have been incorporated.
Improved troop seats, which allow for rapid cabin reconfiguration, will also be incorporated.
Additional modifications include: the Global Positioning System (GPS), the AN/ARC-210 radio, improved engine fire detection, and a tail rotor coupling monitor.

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MH-53E Sea Dragon

Airframe:

Seven-blade main rotor
Four-blade tail rotor
Designed for land- and ship-based operations
Empty weight: 36,745 pounds
Maximum gross weight: 69,750 pounds
Internal fuel capacity: 21,844 pounds (JP-5)
Overall length: 99 ft 1/2 in
Height: 28 ft 4 in
Rotor diameter: 79 ft
Can be configured for wheeled or palletized cargo
Seats for 55 passengers or litters for 24 patients
External cargo hook system rated for 36,000 pounds
Capable of conducting air-to-air refueling
Engines:

Three General Electric T64-GE-416/A turboshaft engines
Each engine can produce 4,380 shaft horsepower
Performance:

Maximum range (main fuel; SL; STD day): 700 nautical miles
Maximum endurance (main fuel; SL; STD day): 6.6 hours
Maximum allowable airspeed: 150 knots
Countermeasures:

Not applicable

Missions and Capabilities:

Two primary missions—airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) and vertical on-board delivery (VOD)
AMCM mission includes: mine sweeping, mine neutralization, mine hunting, floating mine destruction, and channel marking.
VOD mission includes transporting cargo, supplies, and personnel to/from ships and shore facilities.
Program Summary:

U.S. Navy took delivery of the last of 48 MH-53Es in September 1994; 12 were procured for the Naval Reserve.
Three fleet squadrons operate the MH-53E: HM-14 and HM-15 (combined active/reserve AMCM squadrons) and HC-4 (NAS Sigonella, Italy-based VOD squadron).
Training conducted in HMT-302.
A validation/verification contract was awarded in FY95 for the Global Positioning System/cockpit upgrade integration effort. This program, known as the MH-53E Navigation/Communication System, will meet GPS navigation requirements and will correct a mission navigation system deficiency.
Three of four fleet retrofit contracts have been awarded for the T64-GE-419 engine upgrade program. Retrofit of the 419 engines are scheduled to commence in FY97. The 419 engine can produce 5,000 shaft horsepower and will correct a deficiency concerning one-engine-inoperative performance during AMCM operations.
Additional H-53 generic modification programs include: the AN/ARC-210, No. 2 engine thermal detector, NVG compatible exterior lighting, tail rotor drive shaft disconnect coupling monitor, integrated mechanical diagnostic system, and a service life extension program.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/h-53.htm