The CH-53K is seaworthy.

The heavy transport helicopter CH-53K King Stallion successfully completed a comprehensive test series on a helicopter carrier of the US Navy at the end of June 2020. The testing, which took place over about 14 days in the Atlantic Ocean, included taking off and landing from various deck positions in day and night, under severe weather conditions, testing the automatic rotor folding system, and various compatibility tests on board. This means that the transport helicopter from Lockheed Martin's subsidiary Sikorsky has reached one of the final milestones on its way to the upcoming deployment by the US Marine Corps. The US helicopter manufacturer is also participating in the ongoing tender Heavy Transport Helicopters (STH) of the Bundeswehr.

Starting in early June, the aircraft completed a total of more than 360 take-offs and landings on the helicopter carrier (Landing Helicopter Dock - LHD) USS Wasp under sometimes very challenging conditions to realistically test its ability at sea. The helicopter was flown in various wind conditions. Additionally, it was towed to the deck and into the maintenance hangar and secured with various anchoring methods in different sea states. The maintenance crew on board the CH-53K conducted various routine maintenance tasks to ensure operational readiness during this period.

Major Joshua Foxton, test pilot at "Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO ONE" (HX-21), was responsible for planning and conducting this operation and emphasized the difference between the various aircraft generations as a CH-53E pilot: "A night landing on a ship with low lighting is pretty much the most difficult thing we do in the Marine Corps in this operational area. There is practically no horizon reference and insufficient visual cues to accurately assess the approach speed to the ship. In the CH-53E, we had to train for months to produce safe and operationally ready crews. In contrast, the flight control and stabilization of the CH-53K allow for almost completely automatic (‘hands-off') approach and landing. I have never felt so safe in this scenario before, and the ability to focus on other important tasks during mission execution was absolutely impressive."

Bill Falk, Director of the CH-53K Program at Sikorsky, also expressed great satisfaction: "The CH-53K has clearly proven itself during its first sea trials and in conducting more than 360 take-offs and landings. The aircraft has come one step closer to its deployment."
The U.S. Marine Corps plans to begin testing and preparing the CH-53K for deployment in 2021, with the helicopter being deployed for the first time in 2023/24. Following successful aerial refueling tests and testing under degraded visual environment (DVE) conditions, the latest sea trials have again demonstrated that the helicopter's test program is progressing as planned. In the coming weeks, additional flights with vehicles and heavy equipment as internal and external loads at high altitudes and in hot/high conditions will also be conducted.

Currently, the negotiation phase between the bidders and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) is ongoing in the German STH competition. A decision on the award is expected in the first quarter of next year. Christian Albrecht, International Business Development Manager at Sikorsky, sees the successful completion of the recent test series as a positive sign for the German competition: "The sea trials, which have similarities to the potential use of an STH in the Bundeswehr and in operations with partners, demonstrate the versatile capabilities of the CH-53K. The tests show that the CH-53K is the most modern, intelligent, and capable heavy transport helicopter on the market. The upcoming completion of the testing phase ensures the delivery of an operationally ready, fully capable heavy transport helicopter to the Bundeswehr."

During the recent sea trials, the automatic rotor folding system of the helicopter was successfully utilized. In less than 2 minutes, the main rotor blades and tail rotor can be folded at the push of a button to significantly reduce the space requirements of the helicopter. This functionality, which has been in use in the current CH-53G fleet of the Bundeswehr for decades and serves as a unique feature of the CH-53K, would guarantee a seamless transition into the existing infrastructure at the future STH locations in Holzdorf and Laupheim. This would help avoid lengthy infrastructure measures and follow-up costs, ensuring interoperability for the use of the CH-53K from other Bundeswehr helicopter locations.

Early on, Sikorsky formed a core team of renowned German industrial companies for the STH project together with the German technology company Rheinmetall. This team includes MTU Aero Engines, Autoflug GmbH, and Hydro Systems KG. Approximately ten percent of the production and 70 percent of maintenance work will take place in Germany. The German industry is expected to benefit from an order volume of around one billion Euros. In addition, up to 500 highly qualified additional jobs are planned to be created in Germany. Eastern Germany could benefit particularly from the STH program, as Sikorsky and Rheinmetall plan to establish a logistics center and a Flight Management Operation Center near Leipzig.

Rheinmetall on the web: www.rheinmetall.com

Lockheed Martin on the web: www.lockheedmartin.com