S-80 Helicopter
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) S-80M-1 Airborne Mine Countermeasures helicopter
Background
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.
S-80M-1 Model Designations
Customer
JMSDF
Model No.
MH-53E
Nickname
Sea Dragon
Mission
Airborne Minesweeping
S-80M-1 Development Timeline


1987 Contract award for 11 S-80M-1 helicopters
January 13, 1989. Delivery of the first S-80M-1 helicopter
S-80M-1
(MH-53E) Sea Dragon
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.
S-80M-1 helicopter (JMSDF MH-53E)
General Arrangement Drawing
S-80M-1 3-view drawing
General Characteristics and Performance S-80M-1 (JMSDF MH-53E)
PERFORMANCE
Standard Day, Sea Level
Maximum speed (Vne)
Service ceiling
Rate of Climb with 25,000 lb payload
170 kts
315 km/hr
18,500 ft
5,640 m
2,500 ft/min
12.7 m/s
WEIGHTS
Maximum takeoff gross weight
Weight empty
Maximum fuel load
Useful Load
Maximum External Load ( Cargo Hook)
73,500 lbs
36,336 lbs
3,196 gal
37,164 lbs
32,000 lbs
33,300 kg
16,482 kg
12,098 ltr
16,857kg
14,515 kg
GENERAL DATA
Crew seating capacity
Seating capacity
POWERPLANT RATINGS
2
Up to 36 passengers
55 with center seats
Standard Day at 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)
Tail rotor diameter (blade tip circle)
Fuselage length
Length over-all (including rotors)
Height over-all
Main landing gear tread
79’
20’
73’ 4”
99’ 0.5”
17’ 5.5”
15' 6"
24.8 m
6.1 m
22.3 m
30.2 m
5.3 m
5.8 m
Production History
Sikorsky Aircraft S-80M-1 production consisted of 11 helicopters.
Additional Information:
Video from inside JMSDF MH-53E flying formation with MCH-101,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKGt9NpC7Ro
Video of Flight of 3 JMSDF MH-53E helicopters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy9DFAbIjdE
NOTE: Links in this document to websites outside the Archives site are provided to supplement the
information provided. A reference to these sites does not constitute an endorsement or a confirmation of
the historical accuracy of the information by the Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives, Inc.
Prepared by Vinny Devine
October 2013