The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion reached an important milestone on 23 June, with the announcement that the heavy-lift helicopter had completed an external lift of 27,000 lb (1,2247 kg).
The milestone, which took place at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Test Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, saw a CH-53K testbed aircraft lift the load in the hover and out-of-ground-effect (OGE). Just days prior, a pair of CH-53Ks had demonstrated the platform’s ability to carry 12,000 lb (5,443 kg) each during flight expansion trials.
In order to achieve its Operational Requirements Document (ORD) threshold, the CH-53K must first demonstrate the ability to carry 27,000 lb externally out to a range of 110 n miles (203 km) at incrementally increasing speeds. The ORD target is for a load of 30,000 kg out to the same distance.
According to the US Marine Corps (USMC), which is set to receive 200 CH-53Ks, this latest lift represents the most strenuous condition that the programme has to demonstrate from a performance standpoint prior to achieving Milestone C and entering production.
There are currently three CH-53K flying testbeds in the programme, with a fourth to join in the coming weeks. A ground-test helicopter will later be used for live-fire trials.
Having made its maiden flight in 2015, the CH-53K is on track for an Operational Assessment later in 2016, and a Milestone C production decision in 2017. Initial operational capability is scheduled for 2019, and will be defined by the delivery to the USMC of four aircraft that are logistically prepared to deploy. Full operating capability is slated for 2029. The USMC intends to stand up eight active duty squadrons, one training squadron, and one reserve squadron to support operational requirements.
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