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. Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) completed April 2022, Initial Operating Capability (IOC) achieved in May 2022, Full Rate Production (FRP) approved in December 2022. Remaining Project Unit (PU) 3059 funding is required to complete SDD and test activities. PU 3069 begins in FY2024 and funds establishment of the Heavy Lift program's organic test and evaluation efforts and follow-on software development. This effort will support correction of deficiencies for fleet aircraft and developmental test to facilitate Preplanned Product Improvement (P3I) requirements and Reliability & Maintainability initiatives. 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.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2024
Source ID
0605212M_5_1319_PB_2024
Change Summary Explanation
Funding changes: FY24 overall increase of $77.978M: $22.937M added to align funding to the end of SDD and the current OTB requirements. $12.526M added for inflation and miscellaneous/rate adjustments. $42.515M added for commencement of PU 3069. FY2022: Reduced for SBIR $8.371M. Schedule changes: Validation of Envelope Expansion added Q1 FY22 through Q1 FY24. SDD Closeout added Q1 FY24 through Q3 FY25.
Service Agency Name
Navy

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Cargo Handling
  • Contracts
  • Cost Analysis
  • Developmental Tests
  • Engineering
  • Helicopters
  • Logistics
  • Logistics Support
  • Maintenance
  • Procurement
  • Program Management
  • Project Management
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

  • 5G
  • 5G - DoD 5G Program
  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs

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