The US Marine Corps has pushed the CH-53E Super Stallion through a demanding sortie, successfully completing mid-air refuel while two military vehicles hang right underneath it.
During the flight, the helicopter lifted a pair of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, each weighing approximately 2,350 kilograms (5,180 pounds).
Carried out as part of a seven-week course at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, the demo was designed to mirror the pressures of a wartime mission rather than a routine training flight.
It focused on preparing aviation crews to support ground task force teams in complex operational environments.
Troops from the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, which standardizes advanced aviation tactics, took part in the demo.
The course will culminate with a final scenario that brings together air, ground, logistics, and command-and-control elements into a single coordinated operation.
Power Behind the Heavy Lift
A workhorse of US Marine Corps aviation, the Super Stallion is powered by three General Electric turboshaft engines that enable such complex operations.
Each engine delivers 4,380 horsepower, allowing the helicopter to reach speeds of up to 150 knots (278 kilometers/173 miles per hour) and operate at a standard range of 540 nautical miles (1,000 kilometers/621 miles) without refueling.
Built for heavy-lift missions, the aircraft can transport large tactical equipment from shore to sea, using a dual-point cargo hook system to maintain stability while carrying bulky external loads.
In a combat scenario, the ability to refuel mid-air while lifting heavy cargo could offer forces a way to bypass contested zones and reposition assets with little warning.
This could include moving artillery systems or manned vehicles, enabling troops to regroup or redeploy in dynamic battlefield conditions.
