CH-53K for the Bundeswehr - Sikorsky and Rheinmetall submit offer

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Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and Rheinmetall submitted their proposal on January 13, 2020 for the production and operation of the Sikorsky CH-53K as the new heavy transport helicopter (STH) for the German Armed Forces.

For this project, the US helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky and the German technology group Rheinmetall formed a core team early on, which includes reputable German industrial companies such as MTU Aero Engines, Autoflug GmbH, and Hydro Systems KG.

"The whole team is pleased to be able to submit a bid for the most efficient and powerful transport helicopter with the best long-term value for the Bundeswehr," said Frank Crisafulli, Head of the STH Team at Sikorsky, during a press briefing in Bonn. "We will proceed to coordinate the details of our STH proposal in close dialogue with the BAAINBw," added Crisafulli. "Through the early establishment of a German industrial team and the expertise of our partners, we can ensure the quality of the offer and subsequently the high availability of the CH-53K in service of the Bundeswehr."

Mike Schmidt, CEO of Rheinmetall Aviation Services GmbH, emphasized the significance of the project for the industrial location in Germany. "German companies will play a significant role in the success of the CH-53K program. This means that the industry will create many new, long-term jobs for highly qualified employees and an important transfer of know-how," said Schmidt in Bonn. In addition to the core team that has already been established, other companies in the German defense industry will benefit from the procurement project. "Sikorsky and Rheinmetall have jointly prepared the application over a long period of time - this has brought us together as partners closely. We have grown into a very high-performance team!," Schmidt added.
When considering lifecycle costs, mission requirements and capabilities, the CH-53K provides significantly better long-term value compared to other transport helicopters. The avionics and digitalized flight control system offer potential for the integration of additional systems, and payload capacity can be substantially increased with relatively simple modifications. An integrated sensor and diagnostics system allows the helicopter to detect and isolate problems early, greatly simplifying maintenance and crucial for ensuring high availability and efficient operation of the entire fleet.

Another advantage of the CH-53K is its ability for air-to-air refueling and full interoperability with Lockheed Martin's KC-130J tanker aircraft, which the Bundeswehr plans to procure and is already in use by France. Due to the layout of the cargo hold, the CH-53K is also capable of accommodating the same air transport pallets as the C-130J and the A400M, enabling fast cargo handling. This allows the helicopter to be deployed in locations where these transport aircraft may no longer be able to land due to their size.

Due to its versatility, this transport helicopter is suitable for tactical personnel and material transport, humanitarian missions, medical evacuation, armed search and rescue missions (CSAR), and disaster relief operations. The CH-53K is particularly effective in aerial firefighting, as no other available helicopter can transport more firefighting water, materials, and personnel to operational areas.

In the event of a successful application, Sikorsky and Rheinmetall plan to establish a logistics center and an STH fleet support center at Leipzig/Halle Airport. As announced by the two companies at the end of October 2019, they are in advanced discussions with representatives of local politics, existing companies located there, and the airport operator.

Background:

With the submission of the bid, the next phase in the tender process for the "Heavy Transport Helicopter" (STH) begins. The offer forms the basis for negotiations with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). The final offer is scheduled to be submitted by the end of 2020. The final decision on the award of the new transport helicopter is expected to be made in early 2021. The first delivery of aircraft could then take place from 2024 onwards, in order to enable a seamless transition from the current CH-53G fleet, train the necessary personnel, and establish the logistical foundations for operations in Germany.

ABOUT THE GERMAN CH-53K TEAM

Sikorsky has early formed a German industrial team and ensured that the expertise of local partners is directly integrated into the application. As a result, a large part of the value creation of the project will take place in Germany. The German CH-53K team is led by Rheinmetall. Other team members from Sikorsky include Autoflug, Collins Aerospace, Hensoldt, HYDRO Systems, MTU Aero Engines, Rohde & Schwarz, Vincorion, and ZFL.

The German-American CH-53K team is the essential prerequisite for a successful STH program and guarantees high availability of the helicopter as well as reliable support and maintenance throughout the entire service life of the helicopter.

Rheinmetall will be the sole point of contact and coordinator of the STH program in Germany for the Bundeswehr. The company will be responsible for maintenance and training of the maintenance personnel. Rheinmetall is also the system-responsible company for the operation of the crew training centers and the actual training, providing all the necessary training for the Bundeswehr to ensure safe and effective operation of the CH-53K. Finally, Rheinmetall is also responsible for the development support and technical-logistical support, technical documentation, and logistics concepts of the project.

MTU Aero Engines, in collaboration with GE, has developed the engine of the CH-53K and is responsible for a project share of 18 percent. Engine manufacturing and final assembly for the CH-53K will take place in Germany. In addition to manufacturing, MTU is also responsible for engine maintenance throughout the entire service life of the helicopter. This will have a positive impact on the locations in Munich and Ludwigsfelde (Brandenburg), securing jobs and knowledge transfer. The Ludwigsfelde site will benefit significantly from the establishment of new infrastructure and the creation of new jobs, contributing to the positive economic development of the Brandenburg region.

AUTOFLUG GmbH will be involved in both the delivery and maintenance phases of the CH-53K program, especially in the areas of safety seats, medical care, and cabin equipment. The CH-53K program represents a significant portion of AUTOFLUG's business in the cabin and mission equipment division, promoting innovation and securing jobs. Tasks for AUTOFLUG in the context of the German CH-53K program in the serial delivery and usage phase will create additional positions in manufacturing as well as in service and support.
HYDRO Systems KG will mainly take over the ground equipment for the CH-53K program (tripod jacks, axle jacks, and tow bars), the development and maintenance of manufacturer-specific tools, as well as documentation and training for the corresponding equipment. The HYDRO Hamburg site, in particular, will play a key role in the planned value creation in Germany. Tools will be manufactured in compliance with European CE guidelines at this site.

Rheinmetall on the Internet: www.rheinmetall.com

Lockheed Martin on the Internet: www.lockheedmartin.com