Largest ever US military helicopter delivered to Marines

[TR_123456]

Sikorsky has manufactured and delivered the first low rate initial production CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter to the US Marine Corps.


This helicopter, which will help move troops and cargo rapidly from ship to shore, was the first all digitally designed helicopter.


The CH-52K King Stallion, which was selected over Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook, will be the heaviest and largest helicopter in the US military when fielded.


The CH-53K’s digital thread runs from design through production, maintenance, and sustainment, increasing mission availability while reducing pilot and crew workload.


“This Connecticut-built CH-53K aircraft is a testament to the Sikorsky legacy of building safe, reliable rotorcraft for decades. But the way we design, test and build helicopters has transformed,” said Paul Lemmo, president of Sikorsky. “Our employees are using digital tools and other advanced technologies such as manufacturing simulation and 3D laser inspection technology. This factory transformation is a model for all future helicopter programmes at Sikorsky.”


This King Stallion helicopter will be stationed at Marine Corps Aviation Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina where marines will conduct training flights and support the fleet with heavy-lift missions with the aircraft in preparation for the CH-53K’s first deployment in 2024.

Largest ever US military helicopter delivered to Marines - Aerospace Manufacturing

Sikorsky has manufactured and delivered the first low rate initial production CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter to the US Marine Corps.

www.aero-mag.com

 

[Tonyukuk]

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Sikorsky has manufactured and delivered the first low rate initial production CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter to the US Marine Corps.


This helicopter, which will help move troops and cargo rapidly from ship to shore, was the first all digitally designed helicopter.


The CH-52K King Stallion, which was selected over Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook, will be the heaviest and largest helicopter in the US military when fielded.


The CH-53K’s digital thread runs from design through production, maintenance, and sustainment, increasing mission availability while reducing pilot and crew workload.


“This Connecticut-built CH-53K aircraft is a testament to the Sikorsky legacy of building safe, reliable rotorcraft for decades. But the way we design, test and build helicopters has transformed,” said Paul Lemmo, president of Sikorsky. “Our employees are using digital tools and other advanced technologies such as manufacturing simulation and 3D laser inspection technology. This factory transformation is a model for all future helicopter programmes at Sikorsky.”


This King Stallion helicopter will be stationed at Marine Corps Aviation Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina where marines will conduct training flights and support the fleet with heavy-lift missions with the aircraft in preparation for the CH-53K’s first deployment in 2024.

Largest ever US military helicopter delivered to Marines - Aerospace Manufacturing

Sikorsky has manufactured and delivered the first low rate initial production CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter to the US Marine Corps.

www.aero-mag.com

Still nowhere near as big as the Russian Mil Mi-26. Here is a size comparison those wondering:


Mil Mi-26:

• Length: 40.025 m (131 ft 4 in)
• Height: 8.145 m (26 ft 9 in)
• Max takeoff weight: 56,000 kg (123,459 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × ZMKB Progress D-136 turboshaft engines, 8,500 kW (11,400 hp) each

Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion

• Length: 30 m ( 99 ft) rotor and tail un-folded
• Height: 8.659 m ( 28 ft 4.9 in) rotor and tail un-folded
• Max takeoff weight: 39,916 kg (88,000 lb) with external load
• Powerplant: 3 × General Electric T408 (GE38-1B) turboshaft engines, 5,600 kW (7,500 shp) each