USMC CH-53K lifts off
The CH-53K King Stallion helicopter prototype has successfully completed its first flight, manufacturer Sikorsky announced on 27 October. The aircraft is currently in development for the US Marine Corps (USMC).
The flight of the prototype, designated Engineering Development Model-1 (EDM-1), marks the beginning of a three-year, 20,000-hour flight test programme for the type.
During the 30-minute flight, EDM-1 performed forward, rearward, sideward and hover flight control inputs while in ground effect hover up to 30ft above the ground.
Another three EDM aircraft will be added to the test programme over its duration. EDM-1 was delivered into the test programme by Sikorsky at its development flight centre in West Palm Beach, Florida in late 2014.
Mike Torok, CH-53K program vice president, Sikorsky, said: 'EDM-1’s first flight signifies another major milestone for the CH-53K helicopter programme. Having independently tested the aircraft’s many components and subsystems, including integrated system level testing on the ground test vehicle, we are now moving on to begin full aircraft system qualification via the flight test programme.'
The CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter for the USMC will maintain similar physical dimensions to its predecessor, the CH-53E Super Stallion, while tripling the payload to 27,000lbs over 110 nautical miles in 'high hot' conditions. It will feature fly-by-wire flight controls, a glass cockpit, fourth-generation rotor blades with anhedral tips, upgraded engines, and elastomeric rotor head.
The US Department of Defense Program of Record calls for a total of 200 aircraft, with initial operational capability earmarked for 2019.
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