Sikorsky attaches rotors to CH-53K ground test vehicle
Sikorsky has attached main rotor blades to its CH-53K ground test
vehicle (GTV) and will soon attach the tail rotor blades, according
to officials from the company and the US Marine Corps.
vehicle (GTV) and will soon attach the tail rotor blades, according
to officials from the company and the US Marine Corps.
The programme is on track to turn the rotors using the aircraft's
GE38-1B turboshaft engines – the so-called "shakedown light-
off" tests — by the end of the month, says Michael Torok,
Sikorsky’s vice president of the programme.
GE38-1B turboshaft engines – the so-called "shakedown light-
off" tests — by the end of the month, says Michael Torok,
Sikorsky’s vice president of the programme.
Torok made his comments during a press briefing at the Navy
League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition near Washington, DC, on 9
April.
League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition near Washington, DC, on 9
April.
He adds that development is progressing well on the heavy-lift
helicopter, with first flight still scheduled for sometime near the
end of this year.
helicopter, with first flight still scheduled for sometime near the
end of this year.
The aircraft that will be making the first flight is nearly
completed, though the company must still conduct tests of the
main gear box, says Torok.
completed, though the company must still conduct tests of the
main gear box, says Torok.
USMC Col Robert Pridgen, CH-53K programme manager, says
Sikorsky and the military are seeking foreign customers, with
potential customers including Germany and Israel, and he
predicts interest will further materialise following first flight and as
the company moves to production.
Sikorsky and the military are seeking foreign customers, with
potential customers including Germany and Israel, and he
predicts interest will further materialise following first flight and as
the company moves to production.
Officials say they have also received interest from international
partners in the Asia Pacific region.
partners in the Asia Pacific region.
"Build it and they will come," Pridgen says.
The company has been testing the CH-53K’s seven main all-
composite rotor blades and its four tail rotor blades at its
headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut.
composite rotor blades and its four tail rotor blades at its
headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut.
In December 2013, Sikorsky first powered up the GTV’s auxiliary
power unit in Florida as part of the “bare-head light-off” tests of
the engines and rotor without blades.
power unit in Florida as part of the “bare-head light-off” tests of
the engines and rotor without blades.
The GTV’s three main engines were started in January.
Despite similarities to the CH-53E Super Stallion, the CH-53K's
three turbines can crank out 7,500shp each, compared with the
4,380shp GE T64 powerplants on the legacy platform.
three turbines can crank out 7,500shp each, compared with the
4,380shp GE T64 powerplants on the legacy platform.
The main and rail rotors have more surface area than the E-
model, and a newly designed gearbox will allow the CH-53K
to carry an external load of more than 12,200kg (26,900lb)
over a mission radius of 110nm (204km).
model, and a newly designed gearbox will allow the CH-53K
to carry an external load of more than 12,200kg (26,900lb)
over a mission radius of 110nm (204km).
That is triple the capacity of the E-model, according to Sikorsky.
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