CH-53K arrives in Germany
A Sikorsky CH-53K heavy lift helicopter has arrived in Holzdorf, Germany, for its international debut at the ILA Berlin Air Show 2018, Lockheed Martin announced on 28 March.
The helicopter will demonstrate its flight capabilities, manoeuvrability and advanced fly-by-wire technology at the air show.
Ahead of the helicopter's transport to Germany in a C-17 airlifter, the CH-53K programme achieved its Air Transportability Test Loading Activity certification from the US Air Force. A trained Sikorsky crew partially disassembled the CH-53K helicopter, loaded it into the C-17 cabin and then unloaded the helicopter while representatives from Naval Air Systems Command and the US Marine Corps observed.
The CH-53K King Stallion test programme recently completed several milestones, including maximum weight single-point cargo hook sling load of 36,000lbs; forward flight speed of 200kt; 60°angle of bank turns; 12-degree slope landings and takeoffs; external load auto-jettison; and gunfire testing.
The rugged CH-53K has been designed to ensure reliability, low maintenance, high availability and enhanced survivability in the most austere and remote forward operating bases. It will support missions including humanitarian aid, troop transport, casualty evacuation, support of special operations forces and combat SAR.
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