A Sikorsk CH-53K King Stallion heavy elevate helicopter from Marine Operational Check and Analysis Squadron (VMX) carried out an exterior load certification elevate of an inoperable F-35 Lightning II airframe in December at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland. The elevate was to guage the load and inform future elevate capabilities. The CH-53K is probably the most highly effective helicopter ever developed by the USA authorities. This new-build helicopter will proceed to fill the CH-53E Tremendous Stallion mission as a pillar of logistics and assault help for the U.S. Marine Corps efforts, however with important enhancements comparable to state-of-the-art, fly-by-wire expertise lowering pilot work load, contributing to plane stability, and bettering total security. The latest full fee manufacturing choice for the CH-53K is validation of the plane’s worth to the U.S. Marine Corps and final month’s take a look at elevate is yet one more demonstration of its efficiency and reliability.
The NAS Patuxent River F-35 Built-in Check Drive (ITF) take a look at group, Naval Air Warfare Heart Plane Division (NAWCAD) Cargo Lab, and others ensured a profitable elevate and flight by conducting load certification testing, sling configuration evaluation, and cargo traits documentation have been accomplished as required. Information from the checks will inform the flight envelope for future occasions. An earlier crane take a look at elevate verified the sling, rig, pitch and financial institution attitudes of the jet, and management floor states. The plane lifted is a developmental take a look at provider variant F-35C fighter jet that had accrued 750 flight hours throughout 450 take a look at flights between 2010 and 2016. The F-35C and rigging weighed about 22,000 kilos after elimination of its mission and propulsion methods, outer wings, and extra tools. The CH-53K is presently cleared to conduct a 27,000-pound exterior elevate and is projected to be cleared for a 36,000-pound exterior elevate, practically three-times extra below excessive, scorching situations than its predecessor, the CH-53E.
Commercial
In September 2021, the CH-53K carried out its first operational mission by lifting a Navy MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter from a 12,000-foot mountain prime in California. That plane weighed roughly 15,000 kilos and was efficiently transported 23 miles to Fallon, NV. The CH-53K entered its full fee manufacturing and deployment section in December and is on schedule to declare Full Operational Functionality in FY2029. The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Workplace (JPO) leads the life-cycle program administration of the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C; the fifth-generation joint strike fighter (JSF) air system of selection for the U.S. Air Drive, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, worldwide companions and international navy gross sales clients. Heavy Carry Helicopter Program Workplace (PMA-261) manages the cradle-to-grave procurement, growth, help, fielding and disposal of the whole household of H-53 heavy elevate helicopters.
The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion (Sikorsky S-95) is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter designed and produced by Sikorsky Plane. The King Stallion is an evolution of the lengthy working CH-53 sequence of helicopters which have been in steady service since 1966, and options three uprated 7,500 shp (5,590 kW) engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider plane cabin than its predecessors. It’s the largest and heaviest helicopter within the U.S. navy. America Marine Corps plans to obtain 200 helicopters at a complete value of $25 billion. Floor Check Automobile (GTV) testing began in April 2014; flight testing started with the maiden flight on 27 October 2015. In Could 2018, the primary CH-53K was delivered to the Marine Corps. On 22 April 2022, it was declared to have handed preliminary operational functionality. Israel has additionally reportedly ordered the kind; different potential export clients embrace Japan and Germany.
