home Security Military US Navy Gets New Heavy-Lift Helicopters

US Navy Gets New Heavy-Lift Helicopters

May 20, 2019

Photo Lockheed Martin CH-53K — The CH-53K is a modern, marinized, fly-by-wire aircraft that can move more cargo, farther and at longer distances that any other aircraft in production. For example, the CH-53K can lift an up-armored 22,600 lb. JLTV and carry it 110 nautical miles, in high and hot conditions and still have capacity for an additional 4,400 pounds of payload. There is no other helicopter that comes close to the performance of the CH-53K or that can meet Marine Corps requirements. Photo courtesy U.S. Navy.

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

The US Navy has purchased heavy-lift helicopters. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company will build 12 production CH-53K King Stallion helicopters under a new $1.13 billion contract from the U.S. Navy. These advanced helicopters are part of the 200 program of record aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps. The company will begin deliveries of 12 CH-53K helicopters in 2022, provide spares and logistical support. and remain committed to continuing to reduce costs over the life of the program.

According to the company’s announcement, the CH-53K is the only sea-based, long range, heavy-lift helicopter in production and will immediately provide three times the lift capability of its predecessor. The CH-53K will conduct expeditionary heavy-lift transport of armored vehicles, equipment, and personnel to support distributed operations deep inland from a sea-based center of operations. The new CH-53K will have heavy-lift capabilities that exceed all other DoD rotary wing-platforms and it is the only heavy lifter that will remain in production through 2032 and beyond.

Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky, and its suppliers have made significant investments in facilities, machinery, tooling, and workforce training to ramp-up production required for the CH-53K program. For example, we have installed more than eight new titanium machining centers, designed and implemented a new final assembly test facility with multi-floor ergonomic work platforms, installed 10-ton cranes, and now have 3D work instructions on the factory floor.

The all-new CH-53K, designed to be intelligent, reliable, low maintenance and survivable in the most difficult conditions, has flown more than 1,400 test hours and has met all the outer reaches of the test envelope. The King Stallion is in the midst of a rigorous test program to ensure militaries can safely move troops and equipment at higher altitudes, quicker and more effectively than ever.

The CH-53K, which has proven it can lift more than 36,000 pounds, is the most powerful heavy lift helicopter ever built in the United States. The King Stallion’s technologically advanced design will meet the future warfighting requirements for decades to come, enabling missions like humanitarian aid, troop and equipment transport, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), support of special operations forces, and combat search and rescue (CSAR).

Accomplishments to date include: high altitude, hot temperature, and degraded visual environment flights, maximum weight single-point cargo hook sling load of 36,000 pounds (16,329 kilograms); forward flight speed of over 200 knots; 60 degrees angle of bank turns; altitude of 18,500 feet mean sea level (MSL); 12-degree slope landings and takeoffs; external load auto-jettison; and gunfire testing.