Aviation

World’s Top 5 largest helicopters ever built

The most crucial vehicles for any action, whether it is for defense or civilian objectives, are helicopters. It can be used in a variety of ways. Some helicopters are so large that they can do any large duty for lifting hefty payloads with ease.

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The majority of the time, helicopters are utilized in defense to transport additional cargo underneath the aircraft. We will look at a few of the five helicopters in this video, which are renowned for their size and carrying capacity.

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1.Mil Mi-26: The Mil Mi-26, also known by its NATO reporting name “Halo,” is a legendary heavy-lift helicopter that holds the distinction of being the largest and most powerful production helicopter in the world. Developed by the Soviet Union’s Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, the Mi-26 was designed to meet the demands of transporting heavy and oversized cargo.

Maximum Takeoff Weight: Around 123,000 kilograms (approximately 271,200 pounds)
Payload Capacity: Up to 20 metric tons (44,000 pounds) internally or externally
Rotor System: Eight-bladed main rotor
Length: About 33.7 meters (110 feet 7 inches)
Rotor Diameter: About 32 meters (105 feet)

2.Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion:

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is an advanced and formidable heavy-lift helicopter developed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin. As the latest iteration in the long-standing CH-53 series, the CH-53K is designed to meet the evolving demands of modern military and humanitarian operations
Maximum Takeoff Weight: Approximately 42,000 kilograms (92,594 pounds)
Payload Capacity: Up to 16.3 metric tons (36,000 pounds) internally or externally
Rotor System: Seven-bladed main rotor
Length: About 30 meters (98 feet 9 inches)
Rotor Diameter: About 26.8 meters (88 feet)

3.Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion:

The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a powerful and versatile heavy-lift helicopter that has served as a vital asset in various military operations, particularly in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Developed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the CH-53E Super Stallion is an enhanced version of the earlier CH-53 Sea Stallion and has been a workhorse for transporting heavy equipment and personnel.
Maximum Takeoff Weight: Approximately 33,000 kilograms (72,750 pounds)
Payload Capacity: Up to 14 metric tons (31,000 pounds) internally or externally
Rotor System: Seven-bladed main rotor
Length: About 30.2 meters (99 feet)
Rotor Diameter: About 24.1 meters (79 feet)

4.Mil Mi-10 (V-10)

The Mil Mi-10 (NATO reporting name “Harke”) is a unique and distinctive heavy-lift helicopter developed by the Soviet Union’s Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant. It was designed to tackle the challenging task of transporting oversized and heavy cargo, making it an essential asset in various industries and operations.

Maximum Takeoff Weight: Around 43,000 kilograms (approximately 94,798 pounds)
Payload Capacity: Up to 11 metric tons (24,250 pounds) internally or externally
Rotor System: Four-bladed main rotor
Length: About 33.3 meters (109 feet)
Rotor Diameter: About 37 meters (121 feet)

5. Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane

The Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is a unique and versatile heavy-lift helicopter that has earned a reputation for its remarkable lifting capabilities and adaptability to a wide range of tasks. Originally designed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the Skycrane has been utilized for various purposes, including firefighting, construction, logging, and disaster relief. Here’s an overview of the Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane:

Design and Features:

Dual Rotor System: The Skycrane features a twin-rotor system, with two main rotors mounted on pylons above the cockpit. This design provides exceptional lift and stability, allowing the helicopter to carry heavy loads.

Service Ceiling: Approximately 3,962 meters (13,000 feet)
Rate of Climb: Approximately 1,475 feet per minute

Weights:

Empty Weight: Approximately 10,433 kilograms (23,000 pounds)

Maximum Takeoff Power: Approximately 4,050 horsepower each

Cargo Lift Capacity:

External Payload: Up to approximately 9,072 kilograms (20,000 pounds) or more, depending on configuration

Aviation

Boeing Faces New Setbacks as 777X Delays Extend and scraps B767-300F

Boeing’s challenges continue as employees halted production due to a strike, creating new obstacles for delivering aircraft to customers. The company now faces financial losses from delays in the delivery of its boeing 777x aircraft.

Boeing recently announced that the new delivery date for the 777-9 will be in 2026, with the freighter variant scheduled for 2028. This news has been frustrating for airlines that have committed to and are waiting for the aircraft.

Mega Comparison of Boeing 777x vs A350-1000 Aircraft

The Boeing 777X program, which began in early 2019, was initially delayed to 2021 due to COVID-19 disruptions. Subsequent issues, including defects found during testing, have placed the program under scrutiny by the FAA, which insists on the aircraft meeting all safety standards before entering service. Boeing is now facing pressure from both airlines and investors.

Boeing 777x Delay

New Commercial Airplanes expects to incur pre-tax charges of $3.0 billion related to the Boeing 777X and 767 programs.

The company forecasts a $2.6 billion pre-tax charge due to the updated timeline, which accounts for delays in flight testing for the 777-9 and the impact of the IAM (International Association of Machinists) work stoppage. The first 777-9 delivery is now expected in 2026, with the 777-8 freighter following in 2028.

Exploring the Boeing 777x: Highlights from the Debut at …

In addition, Boeing plans to conclude production of the 767 freighter, resulting in a $0.4 billion pre-tax charge. From 2027 onwards, the company will solely produce the 767-2C aircraft for the KC-46A Tanker program.

In August 2024, Boeing grounded its 777X test fleet after detecting a failure in a key engine mounting structure during a routine inspection. The new boeing 777x, powered by the GE9X engine, is the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, but this issue has caused further setbacks.

Boeing 777x, A close-up of the engine, landing gear, and wing

Comparison of 777x vs A350

Meanwhile, the Airbus A350 continues to secure new orders from airlines, becoming a strong competitor in the wide-body aircraft segment. While the a350 vs b777 offer similar ranges, the 777X is designed to carry a heavier payload.

In other developments, Boeing has hinted at starting production of a new mid-sized aircraft, the Boeing 797, which would likely compete with the Airbus A321 XLR.