NPG14_CHINFO_Web_7Mar14

U.S. NAVY PROGRAM GUIDE 2014
Developers
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Marietta, Georgia, USA
CH-53K (HLR) Heavy-Lift Replacement Helicopter
Description
The CH-53K is the follow-on to the Marine Corps CH-53E Super
Stallion heavy-lift helicopter. Major systems improvements of the
newly manufactured helicopter include more powerful engines,
expanded gross weight airframe, drive train, advanced composite
rotor blades, glass cockpit, external and internal cargo handling
systems, and enhanced survivability. The CH-53K will be capable
of externally lifting 27,000 pounds on a “sea level hot day” (103°
Fahrenheit) to a range of 110 nautical miles and delivering cargo
in a landing zone at a pressure altitude of 3,000 feet at 91.5°F, a
capability improvement nearly triple the in-service CH-53E. Additionally,
the CH-53K will be capable of transporting 30 combatloaded
troops. The CH-53K’s increased capabilities are essential
to meeting the Marine Expeditionary Brigade 2015 ship-to-objective
maneuver requirement. The CH-53K fully supports the joint
operational concept of full-spectrum dominance by enabling
rapid, decisive operations and the early termination of conflict by
projecting and sustaining forces in distant anti-access, area-denial
environments. The expeditionary maneuver warfare concept
establishes the basis for the organization, deployment, and employment
of the Marine Corps to conduct maneuver warfare and
provides the doctrine to make effective joint and multinational
operations possible.
Status
The Post Milestone B System Development and Demonstration
contract was awarded to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation on April 5,
2006. The program conducted its Preliminary Design Review during
the fourth quarter of FY 2008. The Critical Design Review was
successfully completed ahead of schedule in the third quarter of
FY 2010, and the program has transitioned from the design to the
manufacturing phase. The ground test vehicle has been mounted
to the test pedestal and was scheduled for engine light-off in the
first quarter of FY 2014. First flight and the delivery of Engineering
Demonstration Models, which will be used for Developmental
Test and Evaluation, are scheduled for FY 2014. On 31 May
2013, the System Demonstration Test Article (SDTA) contract
was awarded to Sikorsky. The four SDTAs will be the first fleet
representative CH-53K helicopters delivered and will be used for
Operational Test and Evaluation. The Marine Corps requirement
remains 200 aircraft.
Developers
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Stratford, Connecticut, USA
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