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Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion

2018 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History

The Sikorsky CH-53K "King Stallion" is the latest version of the famous American CH-53 family of large military helicopters, with origins dating back to the early 1960s. In its original form (CH-53A) for the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the type was further developed into various other role-specific platforms and later for the United States Air Force (USAF), United States Navy ( USN ) and United States Special Forces groups. This behemoth helicopter is known for its multi-blade heavy-duty system that can be adapted to many battlefield needs, including transport (troop and light individual vehicles), maritime mine clearance and search and rescue (SAR). ). The newer CH-53K variant is a highly modern airframe based on the CH-53, and the plan is to keep the series flying on today's battlefields for decades to come.

The program was led by the U.S. Marine Corps, who opted for an "all-new" version rather than an expensive upgrade to the existing Super Stallion mounts currently in service.

The CH-53K program grew out of a USMC need to upgrade the existing CH-53E model fleet that entered service in the 1980s. The famous Sikorsky Helicopter eventually sold the US Marine Corps under the brand new model "CH-53X" which came to be known as the HLR program (HLR = Heavy Lift Replacement). The U.S. Marine Corps officially named the vehicle the "CH-53K King Stallion" in 2006. A line of stallions in service with the U.S.

Marine Corps after 2025.

Currently, the CH-53K weighs 33,200 lbs when empty, which can increase to 84,700 lbs when fully loaded.

The CH-53K is armed with a pair of XM218 series 12.7 mm (.50 BMG) heavy machine guns in the side windows of the fuselage when armed for field operations. With the hatch ajar, additional 12.7 mm (0.50 BMG) M3M/GAU-21 series machine guns will be manned on the rear loading dock.

Missile and radar tracking threats are dealt with through hull-mounted chaff/flare dispensers.

The USMC initially ordered 156 systems, but by 2007 this total had grown to a total of 227, even before one CH-53K system was completed. Flight testing began in late 2011, with delivery initially expected in 2015, with an official launch scheduled for sometime in 2018.

However, a project of this size and scope meant the product suffered delays leading to construction of about seven airframes being completed in April 2018, with the first due to be delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps for testing by 2019.

Nonetheless, the U.S. Marine Corps will eventually field a technically superior, legendary Super Stallion series helicopter capable of surpassing its predecessors and performing nearly all Vietnam/aquatic functions required to serve typical operations. [/p ]