The new "Beast" of the Marine's CH-53K is becoming alive.

[Harald]

Lockheed's $29 Billion Copter Poised to Win Pentagon's Approval

The Pentagon is poised to review -- and probably approve -- a new helicopter from Lockheed Martin Corp. to transport heavy cargo for the Marine Corps in a program valued at as much as $29 billion.

The Defense Acquisition Board has scheduled a March 30 meeting to review whether to approve low-rate production for the first 24 of a planned 200 King Stallion helicopters. The initial contract would cover two of the aircraft capable of lifting 27,000 pounds (12,200 kilograms), according to Defense Department documents. Quantities would grow annually, to four next year and 14 in fiscal 2021, according to the latest published acquisition report.

Approval to proceed would be the first major acquisition decision under Defense Secretary James Mattis. It would also begin to unlock the revenue Lockheed expects to reap from sales, spares and repairs over the life of the program. The latest budget plan increases spending to $1.9 billion in fiscal 2020 from $892 million this year, including development.

The "big" revenue potential for the helicopter designated the CH-53K was the primary incentive for Lockheed's $9 billion acquisition of the Sikorsky helicopter unit from United Technologies Corp. in 2015, Bruce Tanner, Lockheed's chief financial officer, said in an interview. He said the King Stallion is the same size as its predecessor, the Super Stallion, but can haul triple the cargo.

"Frankly, when we acquired Sikorsky it was the 53K program that drove most of our valuation as to why we wanted to own Sikorsky," Tanner said. "It was the fact of that aircraft."

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/182351/pentagon-expected-to-approve-ch_53k-program-despite-cost.html

[Harald]

1, 2, 3, 4, .....




meer foto's ;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/32778702523/in/photostream/

[Harald]

Voor die prijs had je toch een clean sheet design gehad.

Maar de CH-53K is niet te vergelijken met zijn voorganger (E-versie), zeer veel verbeteringen.

The CH-53K is a general redesign of the CH-53E. The main improvements are new engines and cockpit layout. The CH-53K will have over twice the lift capacity and radius of action of the CH-53E, and a wider cargo hold to allow it to carry a Humvee internally. The CH-53K will feature new stubby composite sponsons to cut overall width, giving the helicopter a narrower footprint for shipboard operations.

.../...

The CH-53K is a general redesign with new engines and cockpit layout. The CH-53K will use General Electric T408 (GE38-1B) engines rated at 7,500 shp (5,600 kW) each and will be able to fly 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) faster than its CH-53E predecessor.

It will feature a new digital glass cockpit with fly-by-wire controls and haptic feedback, HUMS, a new elastomeric hub system, and composite rotor blades to improve "hot and high" performance.

.../...

The CH-53K will also include an improved external cargo handling system, survivability enhancements, and improvements to extend service life. The cabin will be 30 ft (9.14 m) long by 9 ft (2.74 m) wide by 6.5 ft (1.98 m) tall. Its cabin will be 1 ft (30 cm) wider and 15% larger, but will have new shorter composite sponsons.

The CH-53K is to surpass the capability of the CH-53E by carrying nearly double the external payload of 27,000 lb (12,200 kg) over the same radius of 110 nmi (204 km). The CH-53K's payload reaches a maximum of 35,000 lb (15,900 kg). The CH-53K's maximum gross weight will be 88,000 lb (39,900 kg), which is increased over the CH-53E's 73,500 lb (33,300 kg). The CH-53K will keep approximately the same footprint as the CH-53E

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_CH-53K_King_Stallion

[Harald]

Marines' CH-53K King Stallion Set to Become World's Most Expensive Helicopter  ( ... oefff dat wordt een dure, $122 miljoen per stuk)

The Marine Corps' new CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter is on track to surpass the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter in unit cost, a lawmaker said this month.

The still-in-development King Stallion is designed to replace the Marines' CH-53E Super Stallion choppers, which are reaching the end of their service lives. But while Super Stallions cost about $24 million apiece, or $41 million in current dollars, the Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin King Stallion began with a per-unit price tag of about $95 million — and there are indications it could rise further.

Citing a 2016 Selected Acquisition Report from the Government Accountability Office, Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Mass., said the CH-53K estimated unit cost had increased about 14 percent from the baseline estimate. Information provided directly from the Marine Corps to House lawmakers this year, she said, indicated that the choppers were now expected to cost 22 percent more than the baseline estimate, or $122 million per copy.

"The Marine Corps intends to buy 200 of these aircraft, so that cost growth multiplied times 200 is a heck of a lot of money," Tsongas said during a March 10 hearing before a House Armed Services subcommittee. "And even if there is no additional cost growth, it seems worth pointing out that $122 million per aircraft in 2006 dollars exceeds the current cost of an F-35A aircraft for the Air Force by a significant margin."

The most recent lot of Lockheed Martin F-35As cost $94.6 million apiece, down from over $100 million in previous buys. The Marine Corps' F-35B and the Navy's F-35C, modified for ship take-off and landing, remain slightly over $120 million apiece.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/181924/unit-cost-of-ch_53k-helicopter-nears-%24122-million.html

[Harald]

IDF mulls major fighter jet, helicopter deals  ( Israel als eerste export klant... of kiezen ze voor de Chinook )

The Yassour helicopter (IAF CH53) will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2022, and the filing of the information request has hastened the search for a future replacement. The US Marine Corps recently purchased 200 CH-53 K helicopters from Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin. These helicopters, which are currently in development, will be classed as operational next year.

Another transportation helicopter being considered by the IDF is the CH-47 Chinook, Boeing's veteran transportation helicopter. The difference in price between Lockheed Martin's helicopter and that of Boeing is estimated at one third, and the final cost depends on the demand for it from foreign armies.

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-idf-mulls-major-fighter-jet-helicopter-deals-1001180035

[Harald]

CH-53K King Stallion Achieves Initial Operational Testing

[Harald]

Lockheed Martin - CH-53K King Stallion Heavy Lift Helicopter Expands Flight Speed   (... de naam Sikorsky is nu al verdwenen !!.. )

[Sparkplug]

Sikorsky CH-53K meets objectives in key test

By Stephen Trimble | Washington DC | 21 October, 2016

The Sikorsky CH-53K met all test objectives in a key evaluation scheduled months before a decision on launching low-rate initial production of the heavy-lift helicopter, according to Lockheed Martin and US Navy officials.

"All test objectives were met, and the aircraft performed very well. This further increases our confidence in the design, and is another key step to successfully fielding the CH-53K," Col Hank Vanderborght, Heavy Lift Helicopters programme manager, says in a statement released by Lockheed, the parent of Sikorsky.

The operational assessment anaylyses how the King Stallion performs a range of required missions, including hovering with a 12,200kg (27,000lb) external load and carrying a 5,422kg load up to 110nm.

The CH-53K must pass the assessment for the Department of Defense to approve entering a low-rate initial production phase. A follow-up operational evaluation with production aircraft is required before the programme enters full-rate production.

As the largest helicopter yet fielded by the US military, the CH-53K has been in development for 12 years. It is powered by the most powerful turboshaft engines in the US military inventory — GE Aviation's 7,500shp-class T408s, which are also known as GE38s.

The US Marine Corps plans to buy 200 CH-53Ks, with the first four early production aircraft scheduled for delivery next year. It replaces the aging CH-53E.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sikorsky-ch-53k-meets-objectives-in-key-test-430630/

[Harald]

Fourth CH-53K Helicopter Completes First Flight

Gepubliceerd op 25 sep. 2016
The fourth CH-53K helicopter successfully completed its first flight on August 31. The CH-53K will ultimately work with the U.S. Marine Corps as its heavy-lift helicopter to transport troops and equipment from ship to shore, more than tripling the load capacity of its predecessor.

[Harald]

CH-53K King Stallion Achieves 27,000 Pound External Lift

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. --- Lockheed Martin today announced the CH-53K King Stallion successfully completed an external lift of a 27,000-pound payload at Sikorsky's Development Flight Test Center in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The aircraft executed an "out of ground effect" (OGE) external load test at 100 feet above the ground while performing hover maneuvers to demonstrate its excellent control authority in this flight regime. An OGE load is the most stressful of lift conditions for a helicopter from a power required standpoint. OGE is defined as an altitude greater than the helicopter's main rotor diameter (79 feet in the King Stallion's case) where power demand greatly increases due to loss of the benefit of ground effect.

"This 27,000-pound external lift is yet another key milestone for the program," said Dr. Michael Torok, Sikorsky Vice President, CH-53K Programs. "The King Stallion achieved this external lift with ease, and we are on track to successfully complete the initial operational assessment this year."

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, is developing the CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The CH-53K has already achieved speeds exceeding 140 knots, and a third CH-53K King Stallion helicopter has joined the flight test program thereby accelerating the pace to full aircraft maturity and production. The first two aircraft have already verified the King Stallion's capabilities well in excess of the predecessor CH-53E. A fourth King Stallion is currently in final preparation for flight status and on track to join the flight test program this summer.

"Lifting 27,000 pounds in OGE conditions is another key milestone for the program, which further confirms our confidence in the design and performance of the aircraft," said Col. Hank Vanderborght, U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager for the Naval Air Systems Command's Heavy Lift Helicopters Program. "This is the most strenuous condition we had to demonstrate from a performance standpoint prior to achieving Milestone 'C' and entering production."

The King Stallion will carry a 27,000 pound external load over 110 nautical miles at 91.5°F at an altitude of 3,000 feet - a Navy operational requirement for "high hot" conditions. The CH-53K helicopter will provide unmatched heavy lift capability with reduced logistics footprint and reduced support costs over its entire life cycle.

CH-53K pilots can execute heavy lift missions more effectively and safely in day/night and all weather with the King Stallion's modern glass cockpit. Fly-by-wire flight controls reduce pilot workload for all heavy lift missions including external loads, maritime operations, and operation in degraded visual environments.

With more than triple the payload capability of the predecessor CH-53E, the King Stallion's increased capability can accommodate a range of payloads from an internally loaded High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) up to three independent external loads at once, providing wide mission flexibility and system efficiency. Additionally, a locking U.S. Air Force pallet compatible cargo rail system reduces both effort and time to load and unload palletized cargo.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/174975/sikorsky-ch_53k-demos-27%2C000-pound-external-lift.html

[Sparkplug]

CH-53K helo expands heavy-lift capabilities

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly | 14 June 2016


A pair of CH-53K King Stallions conducting external load flight tests out of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation's Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on 7 June. Each CH-53K carried 12,000 lb loads, with one aircraft conducting flight expansion tests while the other flew a training flight in preparation for operational tests later in the year. Source: Sikorsky

The US Navy (USN) recently conducted sling-load flight demonstrations of the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter, with a pair of testbed aircraft carrying 12,000 lb (5,443 kg) each during flight expansion trials and training exercises out of the manufacturer's Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The demonstration, which took place in early June, is part of a ramp-up of lift trials geared at seeing the CH-53K officially achieve its Operational Requirements Document (ORD) threshold of carrying 27,000 lb (12,246 kg) externally out to a range of 110 n miles (203 km) at incrementally increasing speeds, and its ORD target of 30,000 lb (13,607 kg) at the same distance.

Briefing the CH-53K at the recent ILA Airshow in Berlin, Dr Michael Tovok, vice president CH-53K Program at Sikorsky, noted that demonstrations have already been held involving the CH-53K carrying 27,000 lb (12,246 kg) in the hover, and flying 12,000 lb (5,443 kg) out to 110 n miles at 100 kt. "It is really performing better than expected," he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Taylor of the US Marine Corps (USMC) explained that the CH-53K will be able to carry three times the payload of the CH-53E while retaining essentially the same footprint.

"The 'hot and high' performance of the CH-53K is the big differentiator over the CH-53E," he said, adding, "The equipment that ground forces are going to be using in the future isn't going to be getting any lighter, and the CH-53K adds growth capability for future vehicles." This future growth capability extends to all aspects of the helicopter's systems, with Tovok noting that only half of the platforms processing memory is currently being used.

In terms of its payload, the CH-53K's internal cabin measures 2.74 m in width, 1.98 m in height, and 9.14 m in length.

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(323 of 753 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/61328/ch-53k-helo-expands-heavy-lift-capabilities

[Harald]

CH-53K Helicopter: Chronicles from the Cockpit

[Sparkplug]

US Navy awards CH-53K LRIP 1 long-lead contract

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly | 20 April 2016


The USMC has a programme of record for 200 CH-53K helicopters, with IOC set for 2019 and FOC for 2029. Source: Sikorsky

The US Navy (USN) has contracted Sikorsky to deliver long-lead items in support of low-rate initial production (LRIP) Lot 1 of the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter for the US Marine Corps (USMC).

The contract, which was awarded on 18 April, is valued at USD25 million and covers the first two LRIP helicopters. Work is expected to be completed in October 2021.

Ahead of these LRIP 1 aircraft, Sikorsky is assembling the first four (of six under contract) System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTA) CH-53Ks at its West Palm Beach facility in Florida. It is these SDTA aircraft that will be the first to be handed over to the USMC ahead of the service's declaration of initial operational capability (IOC) in 2019.

The USMC is procuring the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter to provide its future combat assault transport for heavy weapons and equipment, replacing the incumbent CH-53E Sea Stallion.

Though only slightly larger than the incumbent CH-53E, the CH-53K will offer nearly triple the payload - 12,247 kg (27,000 lb) over 110 n miles - under hot-and-high conditions. Its maximum gross weight with internal loads is 33,565 kg compared with 31,638 kg for the CH-53E, and 39,916 kg with underslung loads compared with 33,339 kg for the CH-53E. Other improvements include a 'glass cockpit', fly-by-wire flight controls, upgraded rotor blades with anhedral tips to improve lift and speed performance, a low-maintenance elastomeric rotorhead, a locking cargo rail system, external cargo-handling improvements, and survivability upgrades.

According to the latest USMC Aviation Plan, the service plans to field its 200 CH-53K platforms across eight active, one fleet replacement, two reserve, and two developmental/operational test squadrons. The Milestone C decision is expected in 2017, with transition to the CH-53K from the CH-53E beginning in fiscal year 2019 with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 (HMH-366) and HMH-302.

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(324 of 536 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/59641/us-navy-awards-ch-53k-lrip-1-long-lead-contract

[Harald]

CH-53K lifts first external load

The Sikorsky CH-53K has completed its first external load flight test Apr. 19, lifting a 12,000 pound external load in a hover.



WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A CH-53K King Stallion, the U.S. Marine Corps' newest helicopter, completed its first external load flight test Apr. 19 at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation's Development Flight Center, suspending, then releasing, a 12,000 lb. load.

Further tests will continue to expand the envelope with external payloads of 12,000 pounds flown first in hover, then incrementally increasing speeds up to 120 knots, followed by 20,000 and 27,000 pound external payloads.

"It is exciting to have achieved our first external lift, another important step towards fielding the most powerful U.S. military helicopter," said U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Hank Vanderborght, H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters (PMA-261) program manager for the Naval Air Systems Command. "Our program continues on pace to deploy this incredible heavy lift capability to the Marine Corps."

The CH-53K King Stallion is equipped with single, dual, and triple external cargo hook capability that will allow for the transfer of three independent external loads to three separate landing zones in support of distributed operations in one single sortie without having to return to a ship or other logistical hub. The three external cargo hooks include a single center point hook with a 36,000 lb. capability and dual-point hooks, each capable of carrying up to 25,200 lbs. The system features an electrical load release capability from the cockpit and cabin, and a mechanical load release capability at each of the pendant locations. An auto-jettison system is incorporated to protect the aircraft in the event of a load attachment point failure.

http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=6234

[Sparkplug]

Sikorsky CH-53K programme puts gearbox issues behind it

By James Drew, Washington DC | 13 April 2016

US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) appears to be confident that the Sikorsky CH-53K programme has put the gearbox failures and parts delays experienced prior to first flight in October 2015 behind it, but the Lockheed Martin-owned helicopter manufacturer won't receive bonus cheques for lateness.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently stated that the King Stallion's planned entry into low-rate production has been delayed eight months to February 2017 because of technical difficulties.

The aircraft is being developed for the US Marine Corps to replace the heavy-lift CH-53E, and should be ready for duty in 2019.

Although the US government bears the ultimate cost of delays and overruns, NAVAIR says schedule incentives were part of the arrangement "and Sikorsky was impacted due to schedule slides".

The latest development cost estimate stands at $6.8 billion, $2 billion more than originally imagined.


Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin

The super-heavy-lift helicopter's two critical technologies are the split torque gearbox and seven anhedral swept-tip composite main rotor blades and both are now flying on the first two engineering design model (EDM) aircraft. However, problems reported with the main gear box did set back the overall test schedule by delaying first flight.

"The redesigned components are flying in the test aircraft and are performing well," confirms NAVAIR in an email to Flightglobal. "The redesigned components are flying in both test assets currently flying, and no further changes are anticipated. There has been no impact to the flight schedule because the changes were made prior to first flight."

The programme has also been working with unnamed suppliers to "find efficiencies" and all redesigned components were ground testing prior to retrofit and flight on EDM-1. NAVAIR expects the third and fourth aircraft to join the test campaign "before the end of summer 2016".

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sikorsky-ch-53k-programme-puts-gearbox-issues-behind-424123/