Helikopter - CH-53K Super Stallion oppdatering - AIN

 

U.S. Navy Awards Contract For First Production CH-53Ks

by Bill Carey

 - September 4, 2017, 11:42 AM

Sikorsky is already building six developmental models of the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-life helicopter. (Photo: Navair)

The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (Navair) awarded Lockheed Martin a $304 million contract modification for the first production lot of two CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters. Plans call for subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft to deliver the first two production helicopters to the Marine Corps in 2020.

Sikorsky is already building six developmental helicopters, which will count toward the Marines’ program of record of 200 CH-53Ks. On April 4, the Pentagon’s Defense Acquisition Board granted the program Milestone C approval to move to the low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase. The Department of Defense announced the contract modification for LRIP Lot 1 on August 31.

“We have just successfully launched the production of the most powerful helicopter our nation has ever designed,” said Marine Col. Hank Vanderborght, program manager with Navair’s heavy-lift helicopters program office. “I could not be prouder of our government-contractor team for making this happen.”

Powered by three 7,500 shp-class GE Aviation T408-GE-400 engines, the King Stallion will provide three times the lift capability of its predecessor, the CH-53E Super Stallion. Also, the cabin of the CH-53K is a foot wider, offering increased payload capacity.

The Marine Corps plans to establish eight active-duty CH-53K squadrons, one training squadron and one reserve squadron, according to Lockheed Martin.

Specifications (CH-53K)[edit]

* = data for K model. All others for E model.

Data from Sikorsky CH-53K sources,^[48][57][60] GE38-1B data,^[47] Flightglobal.com^[61]

General characteristics

• Crew: 5: 2 pilots, 1 crew chief/right gunner, 1 left gunner, 1 tail gunner (combat crew)
• Capacity: 37 troops (55 with centerline seats installed)
• Payload: * 35,000 lb (15,900 kg)
• Length: 99 ft 1/2 in (30.2 m)
• Rotor diameter: 79 ft (24 m)
• Height: 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)
• Disc area: 4,900 ft² (460 m²)
• Empty weight: 33,226 lb (15,071 kg)
• Loaded weight: 74,000 lb (33,600 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: * 84,700 lb (38,400 kg)
• Rotor systems: 7 blades on main rotor (each 35' × 35"), 4 blades on tail rotor
• Powerplant: 3 × *General Electric GE38-1B turboshaft, * 7,500 shp (5,600 kW) each

Performance

• Cruise speed: * 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h)
• Range: * 460 nmi (852 km) no reserves
• Combat radius: * 110 nmi (126 mi, 204 km)
• Service ceiling: * 14,400 ft (4,380 m)
• Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (13 m/s)

Armament

• Guns:
  
  • 2 window-mounted .50 BMG (12.7 mm) M3M/GAU-21 machine guns
  • 1 ramp-mounted .50 BMG (12.7 mm) M3M/GAU-21 machine gun
• Other: Chaff and flare dispensers