The S-64 Air Crane is a twin-engine, heavy-lift helicopter used for aerial firefighting, construction, timber harvesting, and other specialty applications. The airframe was initially designed and manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft of the United States, which named it the Skycrane. The Skycrane took its maiden flight on May 9, 1962 and it entered service on June 30, 1963 with the United States Army as the CH-54 Tarhe. Erickson, also of the United States, took over manufacturing of the S-64 in 1992, renaming it the Air Crane.

Sikorsky designed the S-64 based off their work on their S-60 “flying crane.” Far more powerful than the S-60, with a 6-blade main rotor system, Sikorsky engineered the S-64 to be able to lift 20,000 pounds and to be adaptable to a broad range of missions. The long, slender fuselage was developed to accommodate a wide variety of payloads and modular systems.

The airframe initially saw use during the Vietnam War, where it moved all types of large, unwieldly cargo. This included artillery units, cargo containers, bulldozers, and other helicopters. Erickson acquired the manufacturing rights to the rotorcraft in 1992, initially for logging purposes. Erickson made wide-ranging improvements to the helicopter, making it adaptable for a broad spectrum of civilian applications.

The S-64 became renowned throughout the world as a uniquely capable machine that could lift heavy and cumbersome loads and then position these loads with precision during hover. The helicopter has been used extensively in powerline engineering, timber harvesting, construction, and other heavy-lift applications. It has notably proven itself in the specialized field of aerial firefighting. Erickson developed modular systems that allow it to carry up to 2,650 gallons of water, refill its tank in less than a minute with a specialized snorkel, and deliver water and fire retardant with precision. The latest iteration of the airframe is the S-64F.

The S-64F is piloted by two and has a third, rear-facing seat for a crewmember who controls cargo and modular operations. The Air Crane measures 70 feet, 3 inches in length, stands 18 feet, 7 inches tall, and has a main rotor system with a diameter of 72 feet. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney JFTD12A-5A turboshaft engines that each produce up to 4,500 shaft horsepower.

The S-64F Air Crane has a range of 239 miles, a service ceiling of 13,000 feet above sea level, and a maximum climb rate of 1,700 feet per minute. It has a maximum level flight speed of 132 miles per hour and an in-ground-effect hover ceiling of 10,600 feet above sea level. It has an empty weight of 19,120 pounds and a maximum gross weight of 47,000 pounds.