Sikorsky CH-53K

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Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion
Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, ILA 2018, Schönefeld (1X7A6778) .jpg
CH-53K during a flight demonstration in Schönefeld
Type: Transport helicopter
Design country:

United StatesUnited States United States

Manufacturer:

Sikorsky Aircraft

First flight:

October 27, 2015

Commissioning:

In flight testing

Production time:

Series production planned from 2018

Number of pieces:

13 (as of December 2018)

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is a heavy transport helicopter that Sikorsky Aircraft has been developing for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) since 2006 . In contrast to the original variant, the machine is equipped with three engines, new rotor blades made of composite materials and a larger cabin. When commissioned, this type will be the heaviest and largest type of helicopter in use in the US armed forces . A total of 200 helicopters are to be procured for a total price of 25 billion US dollars . Unit price is expected to increase 22 percent to $ 122 million.

The first flight took place on October 27, 2015, after the first ground tests had started in April 2014. The first machine was delivered to the US Marine Corps on May 16, 2018.

development

History of the H-53 model

The origins of the King Stallion go back to 1962 with the competition for the Heavy Helicopter Experimental , a tender by the US Marine Corps for a heavy transport helicopter. The draft presented by Sikorsky, the H-53, prevailed against the CH-47 from Boeing-Vertol and the first flight of the "Ur-CH-53" took place on October 14, 1964. The CH-53A Sea Stallion had a maximum take-off weight of 20,865 kg and was delivered from 1966.

In the course of time, the helicopter was further developed in order to adapt it to the current state of the art; From the CH-53D version, the General Electric T64 engine was installed and fuel tanks could be attached to the landing gear nacelles to increase the range. B. is used with the German CH-53GS. In addition to pure transport tasks, the CH- / MH-53 were primarily used for the deployment of special forces and Combat Search and Rescue missions, for example to rescue the crews behind enemy lines after aircraft were shot down. The last versions with two instead of three engines were the MH-53H / J / M Pave Low , which had also received a larger avionics upgrade for all-weather operations .

As early as October 1967, the USMC demanded an 80% increase in transport capacity, but the helicopter should still be usable from amphibious ships . Sikorsky upgraded the CH-53D by adapting the rotor system, but above all with a third engine, and proposed the "S-80" design to the Marine Corps, which resulted in the CH-53E. Further changes in this version included an extension of the fuselage by almost 2 meters and an enlargement of the tail unit, in addition, the machine received an automatic flight control system. After the first flight of the 1974 version, Sikorsky was commissioned with series production in 1978, so that the first machines could be put into service in 1981. A total of 177 were ordered. The US Navy deployed 46 machines and ordered a special version for air mine clearance called the MH-53E Sea Dragon .

Development of the CH-53K

initial situation

Initially, the Marine Corps planned to upgrade the CH-53E fleet, but the plans were not pursued; Sikorsky subsequently submitted plans for a new version, which was initially designated as the CH-53X , to those responsible . The K version was generally planned by Sikorsky as a new draft, for whose basic form the previous versions were the inspiration. In addition to the new engines, the main focus was on the cockpit and the aim was to double the payload and range. A first contract for 156 aircraft was signed in April 2006, the machine was now designated as the CH-53K . This first contract was worth $ 18.8 billion and saw deliveries to be completed in 2021. Starting in 2009, the Marine Corps would have gradually decommissioned the existing fleet from the E-model, especially since it was assumed that the wear and tear of the helicopter structures would have made decommissioning necessary in 2011/2012 at the latest; The first flight and the start of the test program were also planned for 2011. In August 2007 the order was increased from 156 to 227, the plans were still to complete the maiden flight in November 2011 and to achieve an initial operational readiness in 2015.

In order to save overall maintenance costs for the US armed forces, the rotor system was based on the existing system of the UH-60 . The General Electric GE38-1B was chosen for the engine. The supplier companies are Aurora Flight Sciences (main rotor pylon), Exelis Aerostructures (tail rotor), GKN Aerospace (tail / transition to tail boom), Onboard Systems International (external load hook), Rockwell Collins (avionics), Sanmina-SCI (internal communication system) and Spirit AeroSystems (cockpit and cabin).

Construction phase

During the construction phase, among other things, the weight was reduced, and a possible increase in engine performance was also provided in order to meet the requirements of the client. Other changes included adjusting the main rotor pitch angle and shifting other components to reduce the center of gravity movement caused by fuel consumption in flight. Around the turn of the year 2009/2010, the draft was laid down in design freeze . The design was then subjected to the Critical Design Review, which was completed on August 3, 2010, allowing the CH-53K to go into production for the prototypes . At this point, however, it was already clear that the first flight in 2011 would not be sustainable, and the start of operational readiness was postponed to 2018. Sikorsky planned four helicopters for testing.

On December 4, 2012, Sikorsky delivered the first machine, which was a Ground Test Vehicle (GTV) , which included all systems, but is not intended for flight tests. Two more cells were produced to perform structural tests.

Soil tests

In January 2013, a new cost estimate showed that the order, which has now been reduced to 200 helicopters, should cost 23.17 billion US dollars. Flight tests were now planned for 2015 as errors in individual components had to be fixed. The contract for the four prototypes valued at $ 435 million was signed on May 31, 2013, with delivery of the last helicopter scheduled for March 2017. On October 1, 2013, Sikorsky awarded a contract to Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to develop a program for training USMC mechanics.

The first run of the engines on the Ground Test Vehicle took place on January 24, 2014 , with the rotor blades not yet attached; the first ground run with the blades attached took place three months later, in April. Further delays in the meantime led to a renewed adjustment of the schedule for operational readiness to 2019 (instead of the last 2018), with series production scheduled to begin between 2019 and 2022. The 200 ordered helicopters are eight active, a training and a reserve squadron are divided. On May 5, 2014, General James Amos announced during the official rollout that the helicopter would be referred to as the "King Stallion".

Flight tests

Presentation of the CH-53K
Flight demonstration at the ILA 2018

The flight test program began with the first flight of the first prototype on October 27, 2015. The second prototype flew for the first time on January 22, 2016, and speeds of 120 knots were flown for the first time in March 2016  .

construction

The K version has been fundamentally redesigned and equipped with new engines and a revised cockpit. For propulsion, three T408 engines from the cooperation between General Electric and MTU Aero Engines are installed, each generating 5,600 kW (7,500  shp ) of power, which means that this version should be able to fly around 20 knots faster than the previous versions. The cockpit will be dominated by a new glass cockpit , the controls will be changed to fly-by-wire controls, and lighter materials and rotor blades made of composite materials will also improve performance on high-altitude and climatically demanding airfields (“ hot and high ”). Development of the transmission began back in 2007, and the entire transmission weighs around 11,650 pounds (5261 kg), making it heavier than an empty Sikorsky UH-60 .

Other changes compared to the versions already produced include a new system to support external load transports, better protection of the crew and technical changes to increase the life of the cell, which is 15% longer. This means that the CH-53K will be able to carry almost twice as heavy external loads as the E-Version, the maximum take-off weight increases to 88,000 pounds (39,916 kg). Two pallets of the 463L standard fit in the hold, which means that reloading after transport in an aircraft is no longer necessary.

Planned users

Technical specifications

Technical specifications
crew 5 (2 pilots, 3 shooters)
Passenger transport up to 55 soldiers
length 30.2 m
Rotor diameter 24 m
height 8.46 m
payload 15,900 kg
Max. External load 12,200 kg / alternative source: 16,300 kg
Empty mass 15,071 kg
Max. Takeoff weight 38,400 kg
Cruising speed approx. 170 kt / 315 km / h
Top speed approx. 200 kt / 370 km / h
Service ceiling 4,380 m
Range 752 km (combat radius)
Rate of climb 13 m / s
Engines 3 × General Electric GE38-1B with 5,600 kW each
Sources, values ​​in italics are planned performance values ​​to be achieved during flight testing

literature

  • Jens Rosenow: The king has landed. In: Rotorblatt , No. 2/2018, pp. 32–33
  • K. Schwarz: World premiere of the King Stallion. In: Flug Revue , June 2018, p. 18

Web links

Commons : Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ ANALYSIS: 2019 World Air Forces Directory. In: FlightGlobal. December 4, 2018, accessed February 22, 2019 .
  2. ↑ Marines' CH-53K King Stallion Set to Become World's Most Expensive Helicopter. Retrieved April 6, 2017 .
  3. ^ Sikorsky Begins CH-53 King Stallion Heavy Lift Helicopter Deliveries to the US Marine Corps. In: https://news.lockheedmartin.com/ . Retrieved May 17, 2018 .
  4. ^ Gerard Frawley: The International Directory of Military Aircraft. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2002, ISBN 1-875671-55-2 , p. 148.
  5. ↑ Sikorsky S-80 Origins. In: www.airvectors.net. Retrieved March 15, 2016 .
  6. ↑ Sikorsky Awarded $ 3.0B Development Contract For Marine Corps CH-53K Heavy-Lift Helicopter. Sikorsky Aircraft, April 5, 2006.
  7. ^ Sikorsky Aircraft Marks Start of CH-53K Development and Demonstration Phase. Sikorsky Aircraft, April 17, 2006.
  8. ^ New Heavy Lift Helicopter Starts Development. U.S. Marine Corps, Jan. 9, 2006.
  9. ↑ Richard Whittle USMC CH-53E Costs Rise With Op Tempo. Rotor & Wing, Aviation Today. January 2007, accessed March 15, 2012.
  10. ^ Marines Up Order for New Heavy Lifter. ( Memento from July 1, 2012 in the web archive archive.today ) Rotor & Wing, August 1, 2007.
  11. ^ US Marines in desperate need of new CH-53K. In: Flightglobal.com. June 21, 2007, accessed on March 15, 2016 (English): "The Sikorsky CH-53K next-generation of the Super Stallion heavylift helicopter will offer vastly improved load carrying capabilities, while not exceeding the size footprint of the current US Marine Corps 'CH-53E. "
  12. ↑ Sikorsky S-80 upgrades. In: www.airvectors.net. Retrieved March 15, 2016 .
  13. ^ CH-53K: The US Marines' HLR Helicopter Program (updated) . In: Defense Industry Daily . Watershed Publishing LLC. December 28, 2006. Archived from the original on January 2, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2007.
  14. ^ "Sikorsky Aircraft Selects CH-53K Main Engines" . Sikorsky Aircraft, December 22, 2006.
  15. ↑ a b c d Sikorsky Selects CH-53K Fuselage Supplier Team. Sikorsky Aircraft, May 9, 2007.
  16. ↑ Sikorsky Awards Onboard Systems With CH-53K Helicopter External Cargo Hook Program. prweb.com on March 6, 2008.
  17. ^ Sikorsky Aircraft Selects Rockwell Collins to Provide CH-53K Avionics Management System. Sikorsky Aircraft, June 29, 2006.
  18. ↑ Geoff Fein: Navy, Sikorsky Overcoming Challenges To CH-53K Design. Defense Daily, May 15, 2008. (Online subscription article) .
  19. ↑ Parker, Andrew. Pause to Reflect on Obstacle-Filled Road . Aviation Today . May 28, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  20. ↑ CH-53K helicopter program achieves successful Critical Design review. Rotorhub , August 3, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  21. ^ CH-53K Helicopter Program Achieves Successful Critical Design Review. Sikorsky Aircraft, August 3, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  22. ↑ CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter Program Conducts Successful Auxiliary Power Unit 'Light-Off'. Sikorsky Aircraft, August 25, 2010.
  23. ↑ NAVAIR Evaluating New CH-53K proposal From Sikorsky. Fly Away simulation . April 16, 2012.
  24. ↑ Sikorsky delivers first CH-53K . Star Defense. Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved on December 10, 2012.
  25. ↑ GAO-15-342SP DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs . US Government Accountability Office. S. 69 March 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  26. ^ Sikorsky awarded $ 435 million contract for four CH-53K test aircraft. Flight International, May 31, 2013.
  27. ↑ Kratos to build maintenance trainers for CH-53K. Shephardmedia.com, October 1, 2013
  28. ↑ Sikorsky fires up main CH-53K engines. Flightglobal.com, February 10, 2014
  29. ↑ http://www.sikorsky.com/About+Sikorsky/News/Press+Details?pressvcmid=5f8372c365dc5410VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD
  30. ↑ http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/27/utc-sikorsky-helicopter-idUSL1N12R1W920151027
  31. ↑ James Drew: CH-53K project expands to 120kt and two test helicopters. In: Flightglobal.com. March 14, 2016, accessed on March 15, 2016 (English): "Sikorsky's first CH-53K King Stallion has achieved speeds of 120kt (222 km / h) as the heavy-lift helicopter development project presses forward with flight envelope expansion and adds a second test aircraft to the effort. "
  32. ↑ a b CH-53K brochure . Sikorsky.
  33. ↑ a b Prototype Assembly Looms As First Production Parts Arrive for CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter. Sikorsky Aircraft, August 6, 2009.
  34. ^ Marine Corps Prepares New CH-53K for First Flight. DefenseTech , October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  35. ↑ S. He, Y. Gmirya, F. Mowka, L. Leigh Trade Study on Different Design Configurations of the CH-53K Main Gearbox. ( Memento from November 18, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) NASA , 2008
  36. ↑ Gregory Buzel, Yuriy Gmirya, Shulin He, Leslie Leigh Load Sharing Test of the CH-53K Split Torque Main Gearbox. AHS International / Sikorsky, 2009
  37. ↑ Y. Gmirya, M. Alulis, P. Palcic, L. Leigh Design and Development of a Modern Transmission: Baseline Configuration of the CH-53K Drive system. ( Memento from November 18, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) NASA, 2011.
  38. ↑ a b Andrew Parker CH-53K King Stallion Inches Closer to Sunrise. Aviation Today , May 6, 2014, accessed May 7, 2014.
  39. ^ CH-53K helicopter. Sikorsky
  40. ↑ Stephanie Vendrasco Cargo cabin mockup ready for some heavy lifting. ( Memento from January 22, 2013 in the web archive archive.today ) USMC , December 20, 2007.
  41. ↑ Christian Dewitz: Sikorsky's CH-53K or the CH-47F Chinook from Boeing? In: bundeswehr journal. May 16, 2016, accessed December 9, 2019 .
  42. ↑ a b Official Sikorsky poster
  43. ↑ official CH-53K-Brochure-2018 . Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  44. ↑ CH-53K Helicopter (click on Attributes tab) . Sikorsky.
  45. ↑ CH-53K mission letter . Sikorsky.
  46. ↑ General Electric Model GE38 page. GE Aviation.
  47. ^ [1] Flightglobal.com
  48. ↑ [2] foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com
Helicopter of the US armed forces


USN / USMC helicopters until 1962:

HSL • HSS • HCH • HOE • HOK • HOS • HO2S • HO3S • HO4S • HO5S • HNS • HTE • HTK • HTL • HRB • HRH • HRP • HRS • HR2S • HR3S • HJD / HJH • HJP / HUP • HJS • HUK • HU2K • HUL • HUM • HUS • HU2S • HOG / RON • ROE

Gyroplane the USAAC 1935-1939:

G-1 • G-2

USAAF helicopters from 1941 to 1947:

XR-1 • XR-2 • XR-3 • R-4 • R-5A to R-5E • R-5F to R-5H • R-6 • XR-7 • XR-8 • XR-9 • XR- 10 • XR-11 • R-12 • XR-13 • R-14 • XR-15

US Army helicopters from 1956 to 1962:

HC-1A / HC-1B • HO-1 • HO-2 • YHO-3 • YHO-4 • YHO-5 • HO-6 • HU-1 • VZ-1 (YHO-1) • HZ-1 (YHO -2)

USAF system 1948 to today (from 1962 for US armed forces):

H-4 • H-5A to H-5E • H-5F to H-5H • H-6 • XH-9 • XH-10 • XH-11 • H-12 • H-13 • XH-15 • H- 16 • XH-17 • YH-18 • H-19 • XH-20 • H-21 • H-22 • H-23 • YH-24 • H-25 • XH-26 • XH-28 • XH-29 • YH-30 • YH-31 • YH-32 • XH-33 • H-34 • XH-35 • CH-37 • XH-39 • X / YH-40 • CH-41 • XH-42 • H-43 • CH-46 • CH-47 • XH-48 • XH-49 • QH-50 • XH-51 • HH-52 • CH-53  ( CH-53K ) • CH-54 • TH-55 • AH-56 • TH -57 • OH-58 • XH-59 • UH-60 • YUH-61 • XCH-62 • YAH-63 • AH-64 • HH-65 • RAH-66 • TH-67 • MH-68 • ARH-70 • VH-71 • UH-72 • TH-73 • MH-90 • H-92

System used in parallel by the US armed forces since 1962:

AH-1 / UH-1 • H-2 • H-3 • YOH-4 • YOH-5 • OH-6  ( AH-6  /  MH-6 )

Helicopter of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation


Manufacturer designations

VS-300 (S-46) • S-47 (VS 316) • S-48 (VS 327) • S-49 (VS 316B) • S-51 • S-52 • S-53 • S-54 • S -55 • S-56 • S-57 • S-58 • S-59 • S-60 • S-61 • S-62 • S-63 • S-64 • S-65 • S-66 • S-67 • S-68 • S-69 • S-70 • S-71 • S-72 • S-73 • S-74 • S-75 • S-76 • S-80 • S-92 • S-97 • S -100 • S-300 • S-333 • S-434 • X2 • Raider X • SB> 1

Military designations

XV-2 • H-3 • R-4 • H-5A to H-5E • H-5F to H-5H • R-6 • H-18 • H-19 • H-34 • CH-37 • XH- 39 • HH-52 • CH-53  ( CH-53K ) • CH-54 • XH-59 • HH-60 • MH-60 • SH-60 • UH-60 • VH-60 • RAH-66 • CH-124 • CH-148