Sikorsky MH-53

Last updated

HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant"
MH-53 Pave Low
MH-53J Pave Low Mission Descent (altered).jpg
A MH-53 Pave Low from the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida
RoleHeavy-lift helicopter
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight15 March 1967
Introduction1968
Retired30 September 2008
StatusRetired [1]
Primary user United States Air Force
Produced19671970
Number built72 [2]
Developed from Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion

The Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low series is a retired long-range special operations and 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 "Super Jolly Green Giant" was initially developed to replace the HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant". The U.S. Air Force's MH-53J/M fleet was retired in September 2008. [1]

Contents

Design and development

The US Air Force ordered 72 HH-53B and HH-53C variants for Search and Rescue units during the Vietnam War, and later developed the MH-53J Pave Low version for Special Operations missions.

The Pave Low's mission was low-level, long-range, undetected penetration into denied areas, day or night, in adverse weather, for infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces. Pave Lows often worked in conjunction with MC-130H Combat Talon for navigation, communications and combat support, [3] and with MC-130P Combat Shadow for in-flight refueling. [4] [5]

The large green airframe of the HH-53B earned it the nickname "Super Jolly Green Giant". This name is a reference to the smaller HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant", a stretched variant of the H-3 Sea King, used in the Vietnam War for combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) operations.

HH-53B

The US Air Force regarded their Sikorsky S-61R/HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant" long-range CSAR helicopters favorably and was interested in the more capable S-65/CH-53A. In 1966, the USAF awarded a contract to Sikorsky for development of a CSAR variant of the CH-53A. [6]

A HH-53B of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron refueling from a HC-130P Hercules over North Vietnam, 1969-70 HC-130P refueling HH-53B over North Vietnam.jpg
A HH-53B of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron refueling from a HC-130P Hercules over North Vietnam, 1969–70

The HH-53B, as it was designated, featured:

Early HH-53Bs featured T64-GE-3 turboshafts with 3,080 shaft horsepower (2,297 kW) each, but these engines were later upgraded to T64-GE-7 turboshafts with 3,925 shaft horsepower (2,927 kW). Five crew were standard, including a pilot, copilot, crew chief, and two pararescuemen. [6]

HH-53C

An HH-53C lowering a PJ during a rescue mission, June 1970 HH-53C lowers pararescueman June 1970.jpg
An HH-53C lowering a PJ during a rescue mission, June 1970

The HH-53B was essentially an interim type, with production quickly moving on to the modestly improved Air Force HH-53C CSAR variant. The most visible difference between the HH-53B and HH-53C was that the HH-53C dispensed with the fuel-tank bracing struts. Experience with the HH-53B showed that the original tank was too big, adversely affecting performance when they were fully fueled, and so a smaller 450 US gal (1,703 L) tank was adopted in its place. Other changes included more armor and a more comprehensive suite of radios to improve communications with C-130 tankers, attack aircraft supporting CSAR actions, and aircrews awaiting rescue on the ground. The HH-53C was otherwise much like the HH-53B, with the more powerful T64-GE-7 engines. [6]

A HH-53 seen from the gunner's position of a helicopter over Vietnam in October 1972 HH-53C over Vietnam October 1972.jpg
A HH-53 seen from the gunner's position of a helicopter over Vietnam in October 1972

A total of 44 HH-53Cs were built, with introduction to service in August 1968. Late in the war they were fitted with countermeasures pods to deal with heat-seeking missiles. As with the HH-53B, the HH-53C was also used for covert operations and snagging reentry capsules, as well as snagging reconnaissance drones. A few were assigned to support the Apollo space program, standing by to recover an Apollo capsule in case of a launchpad abort, though such an accident never happened. [6]

In addition to the HH-53Cs, the Air Force obtained 20 CH-53C helicopters for more general transport work. The CH-53C was apparently very similar to the HH-53C, even retaining the rescue hoist, the most visible difference being that the CH-53C did not have an in-flight refueling probe. Since CH-53Cs were used for covert operations, they were armed and armored like HH-53Cs. [6] A good number of Super Jollies were converted into Pave Low special-operations helicopters. [6] PAVE or Pave is an Air Force code name for a number of weapons systems using advanced electronics.

HH/MH-53H

The USAF's Super Jollies essentially daylight / fair weather machines, and downed aircrew were often in trouble at night or in bad weather. A limited night / foul weather sensor system designated "Pave Low I" based on a low-light-level TV (LLLTV) imager was deployed to Southeast Asia in 1969 and combat-evaluated on a Super Jolly, but reliability was not adequate. [6]

In 1975, an HH-53B was fitted with the much improved "Pave Low II" system and re-designated YHH-53H. This exercise proved much more satisfactory, and so eight HH-53Cs were given a further improved systems fit and redesignated HH-53H Pave Low III, with the YHH-53H also upgraded to this specification. All were delivered in 1979 and 1980. [6]

The HH-53H retained the in-flight refueling probe, external fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and three-gun armament of the HH-53C; armament was typically a minigun on each side, and a Browning .50 in (12.7 mm) gun in the tail to provide more reach and a light anti-armor capability. The improvements featured by the HH-53H included:

The FLIR and TFR were mounted on a distinctive "chin" mount. The HH-53H could be fitted with 27 seats for troops or 14 litters. The upgrades were performed by the Navy in Pensacola, reflecting the fact that the Navy handled high-level maintenance on Air Force S-65s. In 1986, the surviving HH-53Hs were given an upgrade under the CONSTANT GREEN program, featuring incremental improvements such as a cockpit with blue-green lighting compatible with night vision goggles (NVGs). They were then reclassified as "special operations" machines and accordingly given a new designation of MH-53H. [6]

The HH-53H proved itself and the Air Force decided to order more, coming up with an MH-53J Pave Low III Enhanced configuration. The general configuration of the MH-53J is similar to that of the HH-53J, the major change being fit of twin T64-GE-415 turboshafts with 4,380 shp (3,265 kW) each, as well as more armor, giving a total armor weight of 1,000 lb (450 kg). There were some avionics upgrades as well, including fit of a modern Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite navigation receiver. A total of 31 HH-53Bs, HH-53Cs, and CH-53Cs were upgraded to the MH-53J configuration from 1986 through 1990, with all MH-53Hs upgraded as well, providing a total of 41 MH-53Js. [6]

MH-53J/M

A MH-53J Pave Low IIIE of the 551st Special Operations Squadron, 58th Special Operations Wing, flying a training mission MH-53J Pave Low III.jpg
A MH-53J Pave Low IIIE of the 551st Special Operations Squadron, 58th Special Operations Wing, flying a training mission

The MH-53J Pave Low III helicopter was the largest, most powerful and technologically advanced transport helicopter in the US Air Force inventory. The terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar, forward looking infrared sensor, inertial navigation system with Global Positioning System, along with a projected map display enable the crew to follow terrain contours and avoid obstacles, making low-level penetration possible.

Under the Pave Low III program, the Air Force modified nine MH-53Hs and 32 HH-53s for night and adverse weather operations. Modifications included AN/AAQ-18 forward-looking infrared, inertial navigation system, global positioning system, Doppler navigation systems, APQ-158 terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar, an on-board mission computer, enhanced navigation system, and integrated avionics to enable precise navigation to and from target areas. The Air Force designated these modified versions as MH-53J.

A MH-53M Pave Low IV of the 21st Special Operations Squadron approaches the refueling basket of an MC-130P Combat Shadow for in-flight refueling during the 2000 Mozambique flood. An MH-53M Pave Low IV helicopter approaches the refueling basket of an MC-130P Combat Shadow.jpg
A MH-53M Pave Low IV of the 21st Special Operations Squadron approaches the refueling basket of an MC-130P Combat Shadow for in-flight refueling during the 2000 Mozambique flood.

The MH-53J's main mission was to drop off, supply, and pick up special operations forces behind enemy lines. It also can engage in combat search and rescue missions. Low-level penetration was made possible by a state-of-the-art terrain following radar, as well as infrared sensors that allow the helicopter to operate in bad weather. It was equipped with armor plating. It could transport 38 troops at a time and sling up to 20,000 pounds (9,000 kg) of cargo with its external hook. It was capable of a top speed of 165 mph (266 km/h) and had a ceiling of 16,000 feet (4,900 m).

The MH-53M Pave Low IV was modified from the MH-53J configuration with the addition of Interactive Defensive Avionics System/Multi-Mission Advanced Tactical Terminal or IDAS/MATT. The system enhanced the defensive capabilities of the Pave Low. It provided instant access to the total battlefield situation, through near real-time Electronic Order of Battle updates. It also provided a new level of detection avoidance with near real-time threat broadcasts over-the-horizon, so crews can avoid and defeat threats, and replan en route if necessary.

Operational history

While waiting for delivery of the HH-53Bs, the Air Force obtained two Marine CH-53As for evaluation and training. The first of eight HH-53Bs performed its initial flight on 15 March 1967, and the type was performing CSAR missions with the USAF Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Service in Southeast Asia by the end of the year. The Air Force called the HH-53B the "Super Jolly". It was used for CSAR, covert combat operations, and "snagging" reentry capsules from photo-reconnaissance satellites. [6]

The Air Force lost 17 Super Jollies during the Southeast Asia conflict, with 14 lost in combat – including one that was shot down by a North Vietnamese MiG-21 on 28 January 1970 while on a CSAR mission over Laos – and three lost in accidents. [6] The Super Jollies made headlines in November 1970 in the unsuccessful raid into North Vietnam to rescue prisoners-of-war from the Son Tay prison camp, as well as in the operation to rescue the crew of the freighter SS Mayagüez from Cambodian Khmer Rouge fighters in May 1975.

The HH-53B, HH-53C, and CH-53C remained in Air Force service into the late 1980s. Super Jollies operating in front-line service were painted in various camouflage color schemes, while those in stateside rescue service were painted in an overall gray scheme with a yellow tailband. [6]

The first nine HH-53H Pave Lows became operational on 1 July 1980, and were transferred from the Military Airlift Command, where they were to have been CSAR assets, to the 1st Special Operations Wing in the aftermath of the Operation Eagle Claw disaster. Two of the HH-53Hs were lost in training accidents in 1984, and so two CH-53Cs were brought up to HH-53H standard as replacements. [6]

Five MH-53Js of the 20th Special Operations Squadron deployed to Panama as part of Operation Just Cause in December 1989. During the operation, MH-53Js conducted missions including reconnaissance, small team insertion, medivac, logistics, and fire support. The MH-53's terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar, along with GPS, enabled the helicopters to reach objectives other helicopters could not; in one case, an MH-53 used its precision navigation capability to lead a SEAL team on MH-6 Little Bird helicopters to their remote objective. 20th SOS crews flew 193 sorties during the operation, totaling 406.1 hours of flying time. [7]

The MH-53 Pave Low's last mission was on 27 September 2008, when the remaining six helicopters flew in support of special operations forces in Southwest Asia. These MH-53Ms were retired shortly thereafter and replaced with the V-22 Osprey. [1] [8] [9]

Variants and modification/upgrade programs

MH-53 Pave Lows fly over Iraq on their last combat missions in September 2008, before their retirement. MH53 night.jpg
MH-53 Pave Lows fly over Iraq on their last combat missions in September 2008, before their retirement.

For other H-53 variants, see CH-53 Sea Stallion, CH-53E Super Stallion and CH-53K King Stallion.

Operator

Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States

Aircraft on display

An MH-53M on display at Maxwell AFB MH-53 Pave Low IV Maxwell.jpg
An MH-53M on display at Maxwell AFB

Specifications (MH-53J)

Sikorsky MH-53J Pave Low Line Drawing.svg
MH-53 Pave Lows prepare to take off for their final combat mission on 27 September 2008, in Iraq. Final Combat Mission of MH-53 Pave Low, Sept. 27, 2008, Iraq.jpg
MH-53 Pave Lows prepare to take off for their final combat mission on 27 September 2008, in Iraq.

Data from USAF MH-53J/M, [35] International Directory, [36] Vectorsite [37]

General characteristics

50,000 lb (23,000 kg) fortime emergency

Performance

Armament

Notable appearances in media

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk</span> Combat Search and Rescue Helicopter

The Sikorsky MH-60/HH-60 Pave Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. The HH-60 Pave Hawk and its successor the HH-60W Jolly Green II are combat rescue helicopters, though in practice they often serve humanitarian and peacetime disaster rescue. It is a derivative of the UH-60 Black Hawk and incorporates the US Air Force PAVE electronic systems program. The HH-60/MH-60 is a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PAVE</span>

PAVE is a United States Air Force program identifier relating to electronic systems. Prior to 1979, Pave was said to be a code word for the Air Force unit responsible for the project. Pave was used as an inconsequential prefix identifier for a wide range of different programs, though backronyms and alternative meanings have been used. For example, in the helicopters Pave Low and Pave Hawk it was said to mean Precision Avionics Vectoring Equipment, but in PAVE PAWS it was said to mean Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion</span> Transport helicopter series by Sikorsky

The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military. As the Sikorsky S-80, it was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, adding a seventh blade to the main rotor, and canting the tail rotor 20°. It was built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps. The less common MH-53E Sea Dragon fills the United States Navy's need for long-range minesweeping or airborne mine countermeasures missions, and performs heavy-lift duties for the Navy. The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, which has new engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin, is set to replace the CH-53E.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion</span> 1964 transport helicopter family by Sikorsky

The CH-53 Sea Stallion is an American family of heavy-lift transport helicopters designed and built by the American manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft. The Sea Stallion was originally developed in response to a request from the United States Navy's Bureau of Naval Weapons made in March 1962 for a replacement for the Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave helicopters flown by the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurlburt Field</span> US Air Force base in Florida, United States

Hurlburt Field is a United States Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County, Florida, immediately west of the town of Mary Esther. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation and is home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the 1st Special Operations Wing (1 SOW), the USAF Special Operations School (USAFSOS) and the Air Combat Command's (ACC) 505th Command and Control Wing. It was named for First Lieutenant Donald Wilson Hurlburt, who died in a crash at Eglin. The installation is nearly 6,700 acres (27 km2) and employs nearly 8,000 military personnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">551st Special Operations Squadron</span> Military unit

The 551st Special Operations Squadron is a current Special Operations Squadron of the United States Air Force, assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center until 2017 and then assigned to the 492nd Special Operations Wing. It was based out of Cannon AFB, New Mexico. The 551st had previously been based at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico as an Air Education and Training Command (AETC) unit within the 58th Special Operations Wing from 15 March 1976 until its inactivation on 10 May 2007.

AN/APQ-116 is one of the most numerous terrain-following radars (TFRs) produced in the world, and with over 500 units built, it was a member of a family of TFRs consisted of nearly two dozen models, all of which are based on the same general design principle. First developed by Texas Instruments, and later produced by Raytheon when the latter purchased the radar business of the former.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21st Special Operations Squadron</span> Military unit

The 21st Special Operations Squadron is a unit within the 353rd Special Operations Wing, United States Air Force based at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The unit has been activated and inactivated a number of times in its history. Prior to October 2007 it was with the 352nd Special Operations Group, United States Air Force, United States European Command, and based at Royal Air Force base RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Air Force Combat Rescue School</span> Military unit

The United States Air Force Combat Rescue School, was an organization of the United States Air Force.

The Sikorsky H-53 is a family of military helicopters built by Sikorsky Aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky S-61R</span> Helicopter used in transport or search and rescue

The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine helicopter used in transport or search and rescue roles. A developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, the S-61R was also built under license by Agusta as the AS-61R. The S-61R served in the United States Air Force as the CH-3C/E Sea King and the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, and with the United States Coast Guard as the HH-3F, nicknamed "Pelican".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald C. Wurster</span> United States Air Force general

Lieutenant General Donald C. Wurster is a retired United States Air Force officer who served as Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The command is a major command of the United States Air Force and the Air Force component of United States Special Operations Command. AFSOC provides Air Force Special Operations Forces for worldwide deployment and assignment to unified combatant commanders. The command has approximately 12,900 active-duty, Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian professionals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">920th Rescue Wing</span> Military unit

The 920th Rescue Wing is part of the Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air Force. The wing is assigned to the Tenth Air Force of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">550th Special Operations Squadron</span> Military unit

The 550th Special Operations Squadron was a special operations flying training squadron of the United States Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">20th Special Operations Squadron</span> Military unit

The 20th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operates Bell Boeing CV-22 Ospreys on special operations missions. It traces its history back to the activation of the 20th Observation Squadron (Light) at Savannah, Georgia, in March 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">41st Rescue Squadron</span> Military unit


The 41st Rescue Squadron is part of the 347th Rescue Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It operates HH-60W Jolly Green II aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">38th Rescue Squadron</span> Search and rescue unit of the United States Air Force

The 38th Rescue Squadron is an active United States Air Force Pararescue squadron. Part of the 347th Rescue Group, 23rd Wing, it is stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The squadron flew combat search and rescue missions during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">40th Helicopter Squadron</span> US Air Force helicopter unit to support ICBM sites of the Air Force Global Strike Command

The 40th Helicopter Squadron is a missile support unit of the United States Air Force. As the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron it was a helicopter rescue squadron of the USAF during the Vietnam War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Storm Search and Rescue Tactical Vehicle</span> Special Operations Vehicle

The Storm Search and Rescue Tactical Vehicle (SRTV) is an all-terrain light military vehicle developed by the United States. It was the winner of the Guardian Angel Air-Deployable Rescue Vehicle (GAARV) competition awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). The competition was named for the pararescuemen and combat rescue officers known as the "Guardian Angel Weapon System." The Storm SRTV is to be used by the United States Air Force Pararescue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">37th Helicopter Squadron</span> US Air Force helicopter unit to support ICBM sites of the Air Force Global Strike Command

The 37th Helicopter Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the 582d Helicopter Group in support of the 90th Missile Wing located at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. The unit is tasked with flight operations in support of the operation and security of F.E. Warren's intercontinental ballistic missile complex as well as search and rescue missions. The unit operates the UH-1N Huey helicopter.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "MH-53s fly final combat missions". US Air Force, 1 October 2008.
  2. 1 2 Bardua, Rob. "New MH-53M helicopter exhibit opens at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force" Archived 2008-07-23 at the Wayback Machine . USAF National Museum, 8 July 2008.
  3. MC-130E/H Combat Talon I/II Fact Sheet, US Air Force.
  4. MC-130P Combat Shadow Fact Sheet, US Air Force.
  5. MH-53J page. Globalsecurity.org
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "vectorsite.net". www1.vectorsite.net. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  7. Whitcomb, Darrel D. (2012). On a Steel Horse I Ride: A History of the MH-53 Pave Low Helicopters in War and Peace (PDF). Montgomery, Alabama: Air University Press. pp. 265–274. ISBN   978-1-58566-220-3.
  8. Whitcomb, D.D. (2012). On a Steel Horse I Ride: A History of the MH-53 Pave Low Helicopters in War and Peace. Maxwell Air Force Base, AL: Air University Press, Air Force Research Institute.
  9. "Bye-Bye Pave Low, Hello Osprey". Military.com. 8 October 2008.
  10. Project CHECO South East Asia Report - USAF Search and Rescue November 1967 to June 1969. HQ PACAF Directorate, Tactical Evaluation CHECO Division. July 30, 1969
  11. On a Steel Horse I ride - A History of the MH-53 Pave Low Helicopters in War and Peace - Darrel D. Whitcomb - Air University Press. Air Force Research Institute. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 2012
  12. Pave Low - Evaluation of a Terrain Following Radar System for the HH-53 Helicopter. Technical Report No. 73-11 March 1973. Air Force Flight Test Center. Edwards Air Force Base, California, Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force
  13. On a Steel Horse I ride - A History of the MH-53 Pave Low Helicopters in War and Peace - Darrel D. Whitcomb - Air University Press. Air Force Research Institute. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 2012
  14. On a Steel Horse I ride - A History of the MH-53 Pave Low Helicopters in War and Peace - Darrel D. Whitcomb - Air University Press. Air Force Research Institute. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 2012
  15. MH-53J/M Pave Low III/IV Systems Engineering Case Study by W. Albery Ph.D, Raymond L. Robb & Lt. Col. Lee Anderson (2010). Air Force Institute of Technology. Air Force Center for Systems Engineering
  16. On a Steel Horse I ride - A History of the MH-53 Pave Low Helicopters in War and Peace - Darrel D. Whitcomb - Air University Press. Air Force Research Institute. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 2012
  17. MH-53J/M Pave Low III/IV Systems Engineering Case Study by W. Albery Ph.D, Raymond L. Robb & Lt. Col. Lee Anderson (2010). Air Force Institute of Technology. Air Force Center for Systems Engineering
  18. MH-53J/M Pave Low III/IV Systems Engineering Case Study by W. Albery Ph.D, Raymond L. Robb & Lt. Col. Lee Anderson (2010). Air Force Institute of Technology. Air Force Center for Systems Engineering
  19. Pave Low - Evaluation of a Terrain Following Radar System for the HH-53 Helicopter. Technical Report No. 73-11 March 1973. Air Force Flight Test Center. Edwards Air Force Base, California, Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force
  20. MH-53J/M Pave Low III/IV Systems Engineering Case Study by W. Albery Ph.D, Raymond L. Robb & Lt. Col. Lee Anderson (2010). Air Force Institute of Technology. Air Force Center for Systems Engineering
  21. MH-53J/M Pave Low III/IV Systems Engineering Case Study by W. Albery Ph.D, Raymond L. Robb & Lt. Col. Lee Anderson (2010). Air Force Institute of Technology. Air Force Center for Systems Engineering
  22. On a Steel Horse I ride - A History of the MH-53 Pave Low Helicopters in War and Peace - Darrel D. Whitcomb - Air University Press. Air Force Research Institute. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 2012
  23. MH-53J/M Pave Low III/IV Systems Engineering Case Study by W. Albery Ph.D, Raymond L. Robb & Lt. Col. Lee Anderson (2010). Air Force Institute of Technology. Air Force Center for Systems Engineering
  24. MH-53J/M Pave Low III/IV Systems Engineering Case Study by W. Albery Ph.D, Raymond L. Robb & Lt. Col. Lee Anderson (2010). Air Force Institute of Technology. Air Force Center for Systems Engineering
  25. "USAF". helis.com. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  26. Hurlburt Field, MH-53 Pave Low Archived 2011-07-28 at the Wayback Machine , Fact Sheet, retrieved 24 March 2012
  27. Purser, Becky. "Celebrated combat search and rescue helicopter finds new home at Robins" [ permanent dead link ]. macon.com
  28. Willetts, Richard. "RAF Cosford MH-53 Delivery Feature Report, 17 December 2008" Archived 17 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  29. Getlin, Noel, Hurlburt MH-53 flies last mission to where it is displayed at the Air Force Armament Museum 5 September 2008, Eglin Dispatch
  30. "PAVE LOW IV". www.pimaair.org. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  31. ""Restoration of a Jolly Green, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base News"". Archived from the original on 16 December 2013.
  32. Berquist, Carl. "Maxwell dedicates veteran MH-53 to Air Park". Air University. Archived from the original on 22 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  33. McCune, Christopher (2 September 2010). "Kirtland AFB's MH-53J Pave Low - a historic pioneer" . Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  34. Hill Aerospace Museum (2021). "MH-53M Pave Low IV". aerospaceutah.org. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  35. MH-53J/M PAVE LOW fact sheet. US Air Force, October 2007.
  36. Frawley, Gerard: The International Directory of Military Aircraft, p. 152. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2002. ISBN   1-875671-55-2.
  37. USAF PAVE LOW: HH-53H / MH-53H, MH-53J, MH-53M, TH-53A. Vectorsite.net, 1 April 2009.

The initial version of this article was based on a public domain article from Greg Goebel's Vectorsite.