User:Fnlayson/Sikorsky CH-53K

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CH-53K Super (duper) Stallion
Type Heavy-lift cargo helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft
Introduced 2015
Status In development
Primary users United States Marine Corps
United States Navy ??
Developed from CH-53E Super Stallion

The Sikorsky CH-53K "Super Stallion?" is a large, heavy-lift cargo helicopter. It will be the largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military. CH-53K is currently under development by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps. It will be equipped with three 6,000 shp (4,470 kW) turboshaft engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider cabin.

Contents

[edit] Development

[edit] H-53 Background

The CH-53 was the product of the US Marine Corps' "Heavy Helicopter Experimental" (HH(X)) competition begun in 1962. Sikorsky's S-65 was selected over Boeing Vertol's modified CH-47 Chinook version. The prototype YCH-53A first flew on October 14, 1964.[1] The helicopter was designated "CH-53A Sea Stallion" and delivery of production helicopters began in 1966.[2] The CH-53A is equipped with T64-GE-6 shaft turbine and has a max gross weight of 46,000 lb (20,865 kg) including 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) in payload.[3]

Variants of the original CH-53A Sea Stallion include the RH-53A/D, HH-53B/C, CH-53D, CH-53G, and MH-53H/J/M. The RH-53A and RH-53D were used by the US Navy for mine sweeping. The CH-53D included a more powerful version of the General Electric T64 engine, used in all H-53 variants, and external fuel tanks.[1]

The US Air Force's HH-53B/C "Super Jolly Green Giant" were for special operations and combat rescue and were first deployed during the Vietnam War. The Air Force's MH-53H/J/M Pave Low helicopters are the last of the twin engined H-53s and were equipped with extensive avionics upgrades for all weather operation.[1]

[edit] H-53E

In October 1967, the US Marine Corps issued a requirement for a helicopter with a lifting capacity 1.8 times that of the CH-53D that would fit on amphibious assault vessels. Before this Sikorsky had been working on an enhancement to the CH-53D, under the company designation "S-80", featuring a third turboshaft engine and a more powerful rotor system. Sikorsky proposed the S-80 design to the Marines in 1968. The Marines liked the idea since it promised to deliver a good solution quickly, and funded development of testbed machine.[4]

Changes on the CH-53E also included a stronger transmission and a fuselage stretched 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m). The main rotor blades were changed to a titanium-fiberglass composite.[4] A new automatic flight control system was added. The tail configuration was also changed to a larger vertical tail with the tail rotor tilted slightly to provide some lift in hover. During testing, a horizontal surface opposite the rotor was added with an inboard section perpendicular to the tail rotor then at the strut connection bends 20 degrees to horizontal.[5]

In 1974, the initial YCH-53E first flew.[5] Following successful testing the initial production contract was awarded in 1978, and service introduction followed in February 1981.[4] The first production CH-53E flew in December 1980.[5] The US Navy acquired the CH-53E in small numbers for shipboard resupply.[4] The Navy later ordered a CH-53E version for the airborne mine countermeasures role designated "MH-53E Sea Dragon". It has enlarged sponsons and fuel tanks for greater fuel storage.[4] The prototype MH-53E, made its first flight on December 23, 1981. MH-53E was used by the Navy beginning in 1986.[5] The Navy obtained a total of 46 Sea Dragons and converted the remaining RH-53Ds back to the transport role.[4]

[edit] CH-53K

The US Marine Corp had been planning to upgrade most of the their CH-53Es to keep them in service, but this plan stalled. Sikorsky then proposed a new version, originally the "CH-53X", and in early 2006, the USMC signed a contract for 156 aircraft as the "CH-53K". The Marines are planning to start retiring CH-53Es in 2009 and need new helicopters very quickly. Flight testing of the CH-53K is expected to begin in 2011, with introduction to service in 2015 with final deliveries in 2022.[6]

The CH-53K is a general redesign of the S-80. The main improvements are new engines and cockpit layout. The CH-53K will have over twice the lift capacity and radius of action of the CH-53E, and a wider cargo hold to allow it to carry a Humvee vehicle internally. However, the CH-53K will feature new stubby composite sponsons to cut overall width, giving the helicopter a narrower footprint for shipboard operations.[6] It will also be equipped with a new composite rotor blade system, with technology similar to that currently found on the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

The CH-53K will use the General Electric GE38-1B engine. This engine beat out the Pratt and Whitney Canada PW150 and a derivative of the Rolls-Royce AE 1107C-Liberty that powers the V-22 Osprey.[7]

Sikorsky has announced its major subcontractors: Aurora Flight Sciences (main rotor pylon),[8] EDO Corporation (tail rotor pylon and sponsons),[8] GKN Aerospace (aft transition),[8] Onboard Systems International (external cargo hook system),[9] Rockwell Collins (avionics management system),[10] Sanmina-SCI Corporation (Intercommunications System), and Spirit AeroSystems (cockpit and cabin).[8]

In August 2007, the USMC increased its order of CH-53Ks from 156 to 227.[11]

[edit] Design

The CH-53K is a general redesign of the S-80. The main improvements are new engines and cockpit layout.[6] The CH-53K will use General Electric GE38 engines rated at 6,000 shp (4,470 kW) each and will be able to fly 20 knots (23 mph, 37 km/h) faster than its predecessor.[12]

It will feature new digital glass cockpit and a new elastomeric hub system and composite rotor blades to improve "hot and high" performance. The CH-53K will also include an improved external cargo handling system, survivability enhancements, and improvements to extend service life.[6] Its cargo hold will be 1 foot (25 cm) wider but will have new stubby composite sponsons to reduce overall width by 6 feet (1.83 m), decreasing its footprint.[6]

The CH-53K is expected to surpass the capability of the CH-53E by carrying nearly double the external payload 27,000 pounds (12,200 kg) over the same radius of 110 nmi (204 km).[12] The CH-53K's maximum gross weight will be 84,700 pounds, which is increased over the CH-53E's 73,500 pounds.[8]

[edit] Specifications (CH-53E/K)

Speed, power, radius, range & max payload, & MTOW for K model.

Data from CH-53K brochure,[12] CH-53K mission brief,[13] CH-53K attributes[14]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 5: 2 pilots, 1 crew chief/right gunner, 1 left gunner, 1 tail gunner (combat crew)
  • Capacity: 37 troops (55 with centerline seats installed)
  • Payload: 27,000 lb (12,240 kg)
  • Length: 99 ft 1/2 in (30.2 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 79 ft (24 m)
  • Height: 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)
  • Disc area: 4,900 ft² (460 m²)
  • Empty weight: 33,226 lb (15,071 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 74,000 lb (33,600 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 84,700 lb (38,400 kg)
  • Powerplant: 3× General Electric GE38-1B turboshafts, 6,000 shp (4,470 kW) each
  • Rotor systems: 7 blades on main rotor, 4 blades on tail rotor

Performance

Armament

  • Guns:
    • 2× 0.50 in (12.7 mm) window-mounted XM-218 machine guns
    • 1× 0.50 in (12.7 mm) ramp mounted weapons system, GAU-21 with M3M mounted machine gun
  • Other: Chaff and flare dispensers

[edit] See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Sikorsky Giant Helicopters: S-64, S-65, & S-80, Vectorsite.net, May 1, 2006.
  2. ^ Frawley, Gerard: The International Directory of Military Aircraft, page 148. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
  3. ^ Sikorsky S-65 page, AviaStar.org.
  4. ^ a b c d e f S-80 Origins / US Marine & Navy Service / Japanese Service, Vectorsite.net, May 1, 2006.
  5. ^ a b c d CH-53A/D/E Sea Stallion AND MH-53E Sea Dragon, US Navy, 15 November 2000.
  6. ^ a b c d e S-80 Upgrades / CH-53K, Vectorsite.net, May 1, 2006.
  7. ^ CH-53K: The U.S. Marines' HLR Helicopter Program (updated). Defense Industry Daily. Watershed Publishing LLC (December 28, 2006). Retrieved on 3 January, 2007.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Sikorsky Selects CH-53K Fuselage Supplier Team", Sikorsky Aircraft, May 9, 2007.
  9. ^ "Onboard Systems awarded Sikorsky CH-53K cargo hook program", "Rotorhub.com", March 4, 2008.
  10. ^ "Rockwell Collins selected to provide CH-53K Avionics", Sikorsky Aircraft, June 29, 2006.
  11. ^ Marines Up Order for New Heavy Lifter. Rotor & Wing. Access Intelligence, LLC. (2007-08-01). Retrieved on 2007-08-12.
  12. ^ a b c Sikorsky CH-53K brochure
  13. ^ CH-53K mission brief
  14. ^ CH-53K Helicopter (click on Attributes tab), Sikorsky.

[edit] External links

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