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CH-46 Sea Knight vs CH-53 Sea Stallion

Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight military helicopters side profile drawing
🇺🇸 CH-46 Sea Knight
Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion military helicopters side profile drawing
🇺🇸 CH-53 Sea Stallion
Change comparison vs
Specifications
CH-46 Sea Knight CH-53 Sea Stallion
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Helicopters Military Helicopters
Manufacturer Boeing Vertol Sikorsky
First flight 22 April 1958 14 October 1964
Year introduced 1964 1966
Number produced 524 units 284 units
Average unit price $14 million $40 million
Wingspan 16.0 m 24.1 m
Height 5.1 m 8.5 m
Length 13.9 m 30.2 m
Maximum speed 266 km/h 315 km/h
Operational range 1,020 km 1,000 km
Service ceiling 4,267 m 5,639 m
Max. takeoff weight 11,000 kg 33,300 kg
Empty weight 7,047 kg 15,071 kg
Total thrust 2 x 1,400 kW 3 x 3,270 kW
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The CH-46 Sea Knight and the CH-53 Sea Stallion are both Military Helicopters, manufactured by Boeing Vertol and Sikorsky respectively.

Top speed is 266 km/h for the CH-46 Sea Knight vs 315 km/h for the CH-53 Sea Stallion. The CH-46 Sea Knight has an operational range of 1,020 km vs 1,000 km for the CH-53 Sea Stallion. The CH-53 Sea Stallion operates at altitudes up to 5,639 m compared to 4,267 m for the CH-46 Sea Knight. At 33,300 kg MTOW, the CH-53 Sea Stallion is 3.0x the CH-46 Sea Knight's 11,000 kg.

The CH-46 Sea Knight has been produced in 524 units vs 284 for the CH-53 Sea Stallion. Unit cost is $14M for the CH-46 Sea Knight vs $40M for the CH-53 Sea Stallion. The CH-46 Sea Knight first flew 6 years before the CH-53 Sea Stallion (1958 vs 1964).

Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the CH-46 Sea Knight or CH-53 Sea Stallion?
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is faster with a maximum speed of 315 km/h compared to the CH-46 Sea Knight's 266 km/h, a difference of 49 km/h.
Which has longer range, the CH-46 Sea Knight or CH-53 Sea Stallion?
The CH-46 Sea Knight has a longer range at 1,020 km compared to the CH-53 Sea Stallion's 1,000 km.
Which can fly higher, the CH-46 Sea Knight or CH-53 Sea Stallion?
The CH-53 Sea Stallion has a higher service ceiling at 5,639 meters (18,500 ft) compared to the CH-46 Sea Knight's 4,267 meters (13,999 ft).
Which is heavier, the CH-46 Sea Knight or CH-53 Sea Stallion?
The CH-53 Sea Stallion has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 33,300 kg compared to the CH-46 Sea Knight's 11,000 kg.
Which is larger, the CH-46 Sea Knight or CH-53 Sea Stallion?
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is longer at 30.2 meters compared to the CH-46 Sea Knight's 13.9 meters.
Which is more expensive, the CH-46 Sea Knight or CH-53 Sea Stallion?
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is more expensive at approximately $40 million per unit compared to the CH-46 Sea Knight at $14 million.
Which entered service first, the CH-46 Sea Knight or CH-53 Sea Stallion?
The CH-46 Sea Knight entered service first in 1964, 2 years before the CH-53 Sea Stallion which entered service in 1966.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the CH-46 Sea Knight or CH-53 Sea Stallion?
The CH-46 Sea Knight has been produced in greater numbers with 524 units compared to 284 units of the CH-53 Sea Stallion.