The United States Military's largest and most powerful helicopter, the MH-53E Sea Dragon will be part of the IDEX 2007 Naval Display at the Free Port. The Sea Dragon is, in fact, the largest and most powerful aircraft put into production outside the former Soviet Union. It will be the first time this helicopter has been displayed in the Gulf.
The MH-53E Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) helicopter is manufactured by Sikorsky. It is equipped with a seven-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor designed for land and ship-based operations, with an emergency water operating capability. Power is furnished by three General Electric Aircraft Engines. Some versions of these engines have the capability of producing up the 5000 hp for up to two minutes.
The primary mission of the MH-53E is mine sweeping, mine neutralization, mine hunting, floating mine destruction, channel marking, and surface towing such as the towing of surface craft and ships. The secondary utility mission involves the movement of cargo and equipment and the transportation of passengers. There is room for a jeep with a trailer, 55 passengers or 24 stretchers in a medical evacuation role.
Part of the visiting ship contingent of the US Navy, the Sea Dragon is accompanying USS Ardent and USS Dextrous, which are among the latest mine countermeasures ships produced by the US NAVY. The ships have been scheduled to visit Abu Dhabi as part of their ongoing deployment in the Arabian Gulf.
