USMC poised to take delivery of first operational CH-53K

[andypspotter]

The US Marine Corps is scheduled to take delivery of its first production version of the CH-53K King Stallion from Sikorsky early next week.

The heavy-lift helicopter is to be received at MCAS New River, North Carolina. At the base, the USMC said it plans to put the aircraft through its Supportability Test Plan by conducting a logistics assessment on the maintenance, sustainment and overall support of the King Stallion.

The CH-53K King Stallion has the same footprint and looks similar to its predecessor, the CH-53E Super Stallion, but has three times the lift capacity. It can carry a 12,200 kg (27,000lb) external load over 110nm (204km), according to Lockheed Martin-owned Sikorsky.

The new version features three GE Aviation T408 engines, a new transmission, new rotor blades, a composite fuselage and new fly-by-wire avionics.

The USMC plans to replace its aging fleet of CH-53E Super Stallions, which were first introduced in the late 1970s, with 200 King Stallions. The aircraft's average unit price is estimated at about $87 million, if all 200 CH-53Ks are ordered.

[andypspotter]

Sikorsky delivered its first of an expected 200 CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters to the US Marine Corps on 16 May, with the King Stallion due to achieve initial operational capability next year.

To be stationed at MCAS New River, North Carolina, the lead example of the three-engined rotorcraft will be used during a supportability test activity. "US Marines will conduct a logistics assessment on the maintenance, sustainment and overall logistics support of the King Stallion," according to Sikorsky.

The Lockheed Martin-owned company says there are "18 additional aircraft in various stages of production already", with its second CH-53K due to be delivered in early 2019. It adds that it is preparing to commence production at its Stratford site in Connecticut "this summer".

The King Stallion fleet will replace the USMC's CH-53Es, which have been in service since 1981. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows 142 examples as remaining in operational use.

Sikorsky's incoming model has demonstrated its ability to carry an underslung load weighing more than 16,300kg (36,000lb) – three times that of the previous model – while its maximum speed is in excess of 200kt (370km/h).

Potential export opportunities for the type include a German requirement to replace an aged inventory of CH-53G-series transports. A King Stallion made its international debut at the ILA Berlin air show late last month, with Sikorsky facing competition from the Boeing CH-47F Chinook.