CH-53K

Abstract

The CH-53K is a next generation fly by wire heavy-lift helicopter that provides significant improvements in range, payload, performance, cargo handling, turn-around times, reliability, maintainability, interoperability and survivability. It is the only marinized heavy-lift helicopter in the world and the Department of Defense's only heavy-lift helicopter. The CH-53K mission is to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Commander by providing assault support transport of heavy equipment, combat troops, and supplies, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations. - Provides a greater payload at greater ranges than any current or emerging rotorcraft to support the rapid transition of Joint and Coalition forces from contact to blunt layer activities in a contested environment. - Addresses current connector shortfalls making it a critical enabler in the execution of distributed operations; a key component of the Marine Corps' Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations concept which supports the President's National Security Strategy, the Tri-Service Maritime Strategy and the Navy's Distributed Maritime Operational concept. - Capable of integrating into the current battlefield and taking advantage of future technologies, such as manned/unmanned teaming and MAGTF digital interoperability. - The modern fly by wire system provides greater safety, survivability, and reliability compared to other joint rotorcraft. - When compared to the legacy aircraft, improves reliability and decreases operations and support costs by reducing maintenance man hours per flight hour while maximizing work effectiveness and efficiency. Total aircraft quantities for the CH-53K program are 205 helicopters. This currently includes one Ground Test Vehicle (GTV), four Engineering Development Models (EDMs) for System Development and Demonstration (SDD), and four System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTAs) purchased with Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) funds. The remaining 196 aircraft are funded with Aircraft Procurement, Navy (APN). The CH-53K SDD program received a successful Milestone C decision on 4 April 2017. Remaining funding across the FYDP is required to complete SDD and test activities. JUSTIFICATION FOR BUDGET ACTIVITY: This program is funded under SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION because it includes those projects that have passed Milestone B approval and are conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to a full-rate production decision.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2023
• Source ID: 0605212M_5_1319_PB_2023
• Change Summary Explanation: Schedule - IOC updates from Q4 2021 (Program Objective) to Q3 2022 to reflect the current PM estimate. --- FY 2023 funding increase reflects the fact that the FY 2022 President’s Budget request did not include out-year funding.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Aircrafts
• Cargo Handling
• Contracts
• Developmental Tests
• Engineering
• Helicopters
• Logistics
• Logistics Support
• Maintenance
• Procurement
• Program Management
• Rotary Wing Aircraft
• Systems Engineering
• Task Forces
• Test And Evaluation
• Test Vehicles

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs