Reclamation of Ex-Japanese MH-53E Helicopter Parts Complete for U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy used Japanese helicopter parts to sustain its MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters. Parts also went to support the Marine Corps’ CH-53E Super Stallions. U.S. ARMY

ARLINGTON, Va. — The reclamation of helicopter parts from some retired Japanese helicopters to sustain some U.S. Navy and Marine Corps helicopters is complete, a Navy spokeswoman said.

The parts are being used to sustain the U.S. Navy’s MH-53E Sea Dragon mine-countermeasures helicopters and Marine Corps’ CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, which have long been out of production. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force was the only other service that operated the MH-53E.

“The U.S. Navy procured four aircraft from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, two in 2016 and two in 2017, and utilized them to replenish supply for numerous critical components of the H-53E,” said Megan Wasel, public affairs officer for the Program Executive Office Air Antisubmarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs. “Erickson Inc. performed contracted labor on the four aircraft for the government from 2017 to 2020, removing and refurbishing parts. Erickson Inc. did not procure the helicopters.”

Erickson Inc. is an Oregon-based aviation operations and sustainment company, well-known especially for its heavy-lift helicopter operations in support of firefighting, oil and gas industry support, and timber lift.