Sikorsky To Deliver 4 CH-53K Transport Helicopters For Testing

The Pentagon has awarded Sikorsky a $435 million contract to deliver four CH-53K helicopters for testing purposes. The first CH-53K prototype helicopter was delivered to the United States Marine Corps by Sikorsky in December 2012.

The contract is to be complete by 2017. The CH-53K is meant to enter service with the United States Marine Corps and will replace the CH-53E in the heavy-lift transport helicopter role.

The CH-53K is based on the CH-53E Super Stallion and is externally similar. However, it does include a number of improvements, including:

• Increase in lift capacity, including under hot day conditions
• Reduction in maintenance costs by 42 percent
• Reduction in maintenance man-hour per flight hour by 63 percent
• Increased survivability
• Increased speed

The CH-53K features a new cockpit and engines. The specifications are:

• Length: 30 m
• Height: 8.5 m
• Rotor diameter: 24 m
• Payload: 35000 lbs
• Empty weight: 33226 lbs
• Maximum takeoff weight: 84700 lbs
• Cruise speed: 196 mph
• Combat radius: 125 miles
• Service ceiling: 14400 ft

The CH-53K is powered by 3 General Electric GE38-1B turboshafts with 7500 shp each.

The United States Marine Corps plans to purchase a total of 200 CH-53K helicopters. Included in the number are the above four. The CH-53K is scheduled to enter service in 2019.


http://www.courant.com/business/hc-sikorsky-ch-53k-contract-20130531,0,3487230.story

By US navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons