New for the USMC. CH-53K King Stallion helicopters reach initial operational readiness
One of the first combatant CH-53K
The US Marine Corps is starting to upgrade its helicopter fleet. The existing Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters, which have been in service since the early eighties, should give way to the deeply modernized Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion. The first squadron on the new technology has recently reached the stage of initial operational readiness. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to launch full-scale production and supply of new helicopters.
initial readiness
On April 25, the Deputy Commandant of the ILC for aviation Lieutenant General Mark R. Wise. According to him, the 461st Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron received the minimum required number of new CH-53K helicopters and began their trial operation.
On April 22, the squadron announced that it had reached the initial operational readiness of its new equipment. This allows the helicopter to be officially adopted by the ILC, and also opens up the possibility of full-scale mass production and re-equipment of combat units.
The first King Stallion at the rollout ceremony, May 5, 2014
To date, Lockheed Martin, which owns Sikorsky, has launched small-scale production of the new King Stallion. Now she expects that in 2022-23. The ILC will make the necessary decisions and give the go-ahead for the launch of a full-scale series. In total, the customer and contractor plan to build 200 new-type helicopters, and a small part of these plans has already been completed.
CH-53K helicopters will have to replace the obsolete CH-53E in the troops and take over their work. New vehicles will have to transport personnel and equipment between land points, from ship to ship or from sea to land and back. At the same time, a significant increase in performance characteristics will provide obvious advantages: King Stallion will be able to take a heavier load and / or carry it over a longer distance. In addition, the novelty of such helicopters is of great importance.
Promising modification
The decision to update the fleet of heavy helicopters of the USMC was made in the middle of the 53s. The existing CH-2010Es, built in the 12s, were close to exhaustion and would have had to be written off in XNUMX-XNUMX. At first it was proposed to carry out their overhaul and modernization, but then they decided to develop and bring to the series a new modification of the helicopter.
Helicopter cabin
The first contract between the Pentagon and Sikorsky appeared already in 2006 and provided for both the development of a new CH-53K project and the construction of more than 150 helicopters. The start of deliveries of serial equipment was expected in 2011, and by the end of the tenth years, the re-equipment of helicopter units could be completed.
However, these plans were not carried out. The next few years were spent on solving organizational issues, designing, preparing for production, etc. These processes regularly led to schedule revisions and shifts of new project milestones to the right. In addition, the ILC reviewed its needs for new helicopters several times.
The construction of experimental helicopters started only in the early 2013s. Ground tests began in 14-2015, and the first flight took place in October XNUMX. In parallel, the construction of a pre-production batch of equipment was carried out, which in the future was supposed to go to military tests. As before, at this stage, the work schedule was adjusted - now due to identified technical problems.
In May 2018, the first of the CH-53Ks was handed over to the Marine Corps for their own testing. Later, the customer accepted several more cars. The delivered equipment was first transferred to the test units, and then the helicopters got into the combatant 461st heavy squadron.
As reported, during the tests of recent years, experienced and small-scale CH-53K confirmed all the calculated characteristics. They also showed the possibility of transporting a variety of goods, incl. with landing. Test refueling in the air was carried out, both with an empty helicopter and with a payload.
Plans for the future
According to current plans, by the end of the twenties, the ILC should receive 200 helicopters of a new modification. To date, Sikorsky / Lockheed Martin has built and handed over to the customer approx. 20 cars. Production continues, and new serial products are expected soon.
Transportation of passengers
The manufacturing company reports that seven helicopters are currently in various stages of production. Three of them will be completed and handed over before the end of the year; the rest are expected next. The existing firm agreements provide for the construction of another 42 machines. Procurement of materials and assemblies for 14 products has begun.
So far, the production of CH-53K helicopters has been carried out at a limited pace. Lockheed Martin expects the KMP to initiate a full-scale production of equipment only next year. In this case, the company will have to reach the pace of construction of 24-25 helicopters per year - this will allow to complete the construction of all the required 200 units. until 2030 inclusive.
The actual rate of construction of the King Stallion will be higher, as Sikorsky has already received its first export order. At the very end of last year, it became known that Israel had ordered 12 new helicopters. Four of them are already under construction and can be handed over to the customer in the coming months. Previously, Germany and Japan showed interest in such a technique, but orders from them did not follow. Now new contracts are expected, which will also require the expansion of production.
Car transportation
Technical advantages
The CH-53K King Stallion heavy transport helicopter is a deep upgrade of the older CH-53E Super Stallion. He retained the old scheme and the main design features. At the same time, all key units went under the replacement, while others underwent modifications. Thanks to this, the number of parts in the helicopter was reduced by 63% compared to the previous modification. Key flight, technical and operational characteristics have grown.
In the CH-53K project, the airframe was finalized. It became wider, which allowed to increase the useful volume of the cab by 15%. The power plant is based on three General Electric T408 turboshaft engines with a power of 7500 hp each. and a new main gearbox, which gave a 57 percent increase in power.
The maximum load capacity has increased to 16,3 tons on the external sling and up to 15,9 tons in the cab. The enlarged cab allows the transport of vehicles, standard pallets of different types, etc. Larger loads, as before, are transported on an external sling. The cabin accommodates 30 passengers in seats along the sides. In general, in terms of cargo capabilities, the new King Stallion surpasses the previous Super Stallion modification.
Cargo on an external sling
The CH-53K uses modern avionics, incl. digital control systems, optical-electronic survey system, various means of communication, etc. Pilots work in a "glass cockpit" with a large number of multifunctional monitors.
Measures have been taken to simplify and speed up service. First of all, they affect the design of various components and assemblies. A modern automated control system has been introduced. It monitors the operation of systems and units, processes incoming data and issues recommendations for maintenance and repair. In addition, an improved logistics system is being created in the troops, designed to ensure a reliable supply of materials and spare parts.
Expectations and Reality
The USMC has high hopes for the new CH-53K King Stallion helicopter. It is expected that the technique of the new modification will be a successful replacement for obsolete machines. Due to the increased performance, it will give the troops new transport capabilities in solving all the proposed tasks. In addition, the amount of new equipment will be a positive factor: two hundred new CH-53Ks will have to replace approx. 130 obsolete CH-53Es.
However, all the desired results of the new project will not be obtained immediately. The re-equipment of helicopter squadrons of the KMP will continue until the end of the decade. Accordingly, over the next few years, these units will have to use the old CH-53E Super Stallion - with all their problems and limitations.
Information