Country of origin |
United States |
Entered service |
2018 |
Crew |
2 + 3 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Length |
30.2 m |
Main rotor diameter |
24 m |
Height |
8.46 m |
Weight (empty) |
15.07 t |
Weight (maximum take off) |
39.91 t |
Engines and performance |
Engines |
3 x General Electric T408-GE-400 turboshafts |
Engine power |
3 x 7 500 shp |
Maximum speed |
? |
Cruising speed |
261 km/h |
Service ceiling |
4.38 km |
Range |
852 km |
Ferry range |
? |
Combat radius |
204 km |
Payload |
Passengers |
55 men |
Payload capacity |
15.9 t |
Payload capacity (external load) |
? |
Armament |
Machine guns |
3 x 12.7 mm |
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The CH-53K
was developed by Sikorsky to meet requirements of the US Marine
Corps. Development commenced in 2006. This heavy helicopter was first publicly
revealed in 2014. It made its first flight in 2015. Low-rate
production of this helicopter commenced in 2016. First CH-53K
helicopter was delivered to the USMC in 2018 and it reached initial operating capability
during the same year. Currently it is the largest helicopter in the US military. The US Marine Corps
requirement is for 200 new heavy-lift helicopters.
The CH-53K is a further
development of the
CH-53E Super Stallion. Since 1974 the Super
Stallion was the largest and most powerful helicopter outside
Russia. A total of 227 machines were built. Currently US Marines are
using CH-53E helicopters to deliver troops, vehicles and supplies
from ships to shore. However these helicopters are wearing out. The
main goal was to develop helicopter with notably improved
performance in a similar airframe.
Even though
the CH-53K looks like the previous CH-53E it has a new design.
It has a wider cabin. The new helicopter has the same shipboard
footprint as the previous CH-53E.
The King
Stallion is powered by three General Electric turboshaft engines,
developing 7 500 shp each. These engines use less fuel, deliver more
power and have fewer parts than the previous engines. Machine is
fitted with next-generation composite main rotor blades. Blades are folded automatically.
These are the largest and most advanced blades Sikorsky has ever
produced.
The CH-53K
has a payload capacity of 15.9 t. In standard configuration this
helicopter can carry 37 passengers. However when centerline seats
are installed the CH-53K can carry 55 passengers. The previous CH-53E
could carry just as much. The King Stallion
has significantly increased lift capability over the previous Super
Stallion. It can recover downed air vehicles. Also it can transport
heavy weapons and vehicles externally.
The
helicopter has a redesigned composite airframe. There is lightweight ballistic protection for crew and troops.
Also there are crashworthy seats for crew and troops as well as
crashworthy retracting landing gear. All of these features combined
significantly increase aircraft and crew survivability.
The King
Stallion is operated by a crew of 5, including 2 pilots and a combat
crew of 3 gunners. Once in combat theatre this helicopter will be
armed with three 12.7 mm machine guns. Two of them will be mounted
in the windows on each side. The third machine gun will be mounted
on the rear ramp. Helicopter also has chaff and flare dispensers.
This
helicopter is fitted with digital fly-by-wire avionics with fully
integrated flight and navigation displays. The King
Stallion has a refueling probe.
A partially
disassembled CH-53K helicopter fits into a
C-17's cargo hold.
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