Team Of Engineers To Develop Newest USMC Super Stallion
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation told ANN it has officially
dedicated its CH-53K program's new Heavy Lift Development Center at
a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by state and local elected
officials and more than 50 invited guests. Presiding over the
ceremony was US Marine Corp Deputy Commandant for Aviation General
John G. Castellaw (below).
Sikorsky's new center houses the CH-53K program and engineering
staff, a team consisting of Sikorsky, Naval Air Systems Command,
Defense Contracting Management Agency personnel and
subcontractors.
The new 106,000-square-foot office building is located in
Stratford, CT, approximately five miles from the main Sikorsky
facility.
Sikorsky was awarded a $3 billion System Development and
Demonstration contract for the United States Marine Corps CH-53K
heavy-lift helicopter in April last year. Under the terms of the
SDD contract, Sikorsky will oversee aircraft development, systems
integration, test article production and test and evaluation
activities on a sole source basis.
"The CH-53K Heavy Lift Development Center creates an integrated
environment that will coordinate our efforts across functions as we
develop this program to its full potential," said Sikorsky
President Jeffrey Pino. "The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
helicopter has been the most capable marinized heavy-lift
helicopter in the world for more than 25 years. The new CH-53K
promises a marked improvement in payload, range, and 'hot-high'
capabilities - taking this great aircraft into the next phase of
its illustrious career as Sikorsky continues to pioneer flight
solutions that bring people home everywhere... every time."
The SDD contract could lead to the production of 156 CH-53K
(artists rendering below) aircraft to replace roughly an equal
number of aging CH-53E Super Stallions currently operational with
the Marine Corps. Congress and the Pentagon have yet to set precise
numbers.
Sikorsky claims the three-engine Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
is the largest, most powerful marinized helicopter in the world.
The Marine Corps frequently deploys the aircraft from amphibious
assault ships to transport personnel and equipment, and to carry
external (sling) loads.
The company says the CH-53K will be the same size as the CH-53E
with nearly double its payload -- up to 27,000 pounds over 110
nautical miles under hot-high ambient conditions. Sikorsky plans to
boost the CH-53K's max takeoff weight to 84,700 pounds -- up
nearly 12,000 over the CH-53E.
According to Sikorsky, upgrades slated for the CH-53K include:
joint interoperable glass cockpit fly-by-wire flight controls;
high-efficiency rotor blade with anhedral tip; low-maintenance
elastomeric rotorhead; gross weight expansion; upgraded engine
system; cargo rail locking system; external cargo handling
improvements and survivability enhancements; and reduced operation
and support costs.