Eurocopter CH-53GS

22 CH-53Gs upgraded with missile countermeasures, improved communications and navigation, and dual external fuel tanks.

The CH-53GS is a modernized “protected” version of Germany’s CH-53G heavy-lift helicopter, developed from the late 1990s to support combat search-and-rescue and international deployments in harsh environments such as Afghanistan. The upgrade program, led by Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters), introduced more powerful T64-100 engines, enhanced survivability systems including missile countermeasures and ballistic protection, extended range with external fuel tanks, and improved avionics with night-vision capability. Originally built in the 1970s, the fleet was progressively upgraded through the 2000s, with operational responsibility transferring to the German Air Force in 2013.