Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion during roll out photo:Sikorsky U.S. Navy has awarded engine maker GE, a $68.5 million multi-year System De...
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| Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion during roll out photo:Sikorsky |
The heavy-lift cargo helicopter is being developed by Sikorsky for the United States Marine Corps. When inducted, it will be the largest and heaviest helicopter in the U.S. military.
Three 7,500 shp class GE38-1B engines (designated T408-GE-400 by the U.S. Navy) will power the CH-53K, enabling it to carry a 27,000-pound external load over a mission radius of 110 nautical miles in hot weather conditions, nearly triple the external load carrying capacity of the current CH-53E Super Stallion™.
When compared to its predecessor–the T64 turboshaft engine that powers the CH-53E, GE38 will provide more than 57 percent more power, 18 percent better specific fuel consumption and will have 63 percent fewer parts.
GE has completed more than 4,300 hours of factory testing on the engine and expects to complete the process by 2014 end.
In December 2013, the GE38 completed its 300-hour cyclic durability test, spending the longest time at maximum redline temperatures of any engine in GE history.
Other than the new engines, CH-53K will also feature a new composite rotor blades, and a wider cabin than previous CH-53 variants.
CH-53K first flight is targeted in late 2014. The Marine Corps expect to stand up the first CH-53K squadron in 2019. The U.S. Navy program of record is for 200 aircraft.
In June 2013, US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has awarded a contract to Sikorsky to supply four production-representative CH-53Ks for use by the USMC to test during operational evaluation.
