CH-53K Development
Abstract
The CH-53 is the only marinized heavy-lift helicopter in the world and is the Marine Corps only heavy-lift helicopter. The CH-53 mission is the conduct of expeditionary heavy-lift assault transport of armored vehicles, equipment and personnel to support distributed operations deep inland from a sea-based center of operations. The CH-53E "Super Stallion" was introduced into operations in 1980 as an upgrade version of the CH-53D. The CH-53E has developed performance degradation, fatigue life, interoperability, maintenance supportability, and other operational concerns. An improved CH-53 is needed to support Marine Air-Ground Task Force heavy-lift requirements in the 21st century joint environment. The CH-53K will provide improvements in range and payload, performance, cargo handling, turn-around times, reliability and maintainability, interoperability, and survivability. The CH-53K program is required to provide full system capability, including shipboard compatibilities, at Initial Operational Capability (IOC). Total aircraft quantities for the CH-53K program are 205 helicopters. This includes one Ground Test Vehicle (GTV) and four Engineering Development Models (EDMs) for System Development and Demonstration (SDD), to be purchased with Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) funds. Of the remaining 200 aircraft, four (4) will be System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTA's) and will be incrementally funded using RDT&E funds. The SDTA's will be used to prove out production and integration processes for airworthy helicopters on a pilot production line, and to provide aircraft for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation. The remaining 196 aircraft will be Aircraft Procurement, Navy funded. FY14 RDT&E efforts focus on CH-53K SDD activities that includes EDM fabrication and assembly, ground and flight test of GTV and EDMs, and continued fabrication of SDTAs and associated components.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2014
- Source ID
- 3059_0605212N_5_1319_PB_2014
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