Happy! Sikorsky and Rheinmetall partner up because of CH-53K

Sikorsky and the members of the German CH-53K industrial team have reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation through a new teaming agreement. Christian Albrecht, International Business Development Manager at Sikorsky, expressed his delight at the latest development: "We have worked intensively and in close coordination on a concept of how to operate and maintain the heavy transport helicopter CH-53K to the best possible effect. The German industry is the perfect partner for this and also ensures the highest possible level of independence from foreign companies. We are all the more pleased that we have recently been able to gain another exclusive partner," Albrecht said.

The US helicopter manufacturer is bidding to deliver the new Heavy Transport Helicopter (STH) to the German Bundeswehr. Sikorsky had formed a team early on with leading German technology companies, including Rheinmetall, MTU Aero Engines, Autoflug, and Hydro Systems - and now also Reiser Simulation and Training. The Bavarian medium-sized company strengthens the German CH-53K industrial team as a subcontractor of Rheinmetall.
Mike Schmidt, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Aviation Services GmbH, welcomed the strengthening of the German CH-53K team: "Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH is a proven specialist in the German aviation industry. Rheinmetall and Reiser will combine their technological experience in the field of training and simulation, thereby offering a high-quality solution that meets all Bundeswehr standards." Schmidt referred in this context to the existing and successful cooperation between Rheinmetall and Reiser on the transport helicopter NH90 Sea Lion.

Following the cancellation of the STH competition last year, the German Ministry of Defense is currently obtaining offers from the former competitors in the US government through a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. Such a program typically involves the purchase of the basic version of an aircraft. In the case of the CH-53K, the basic version already meets all relevant capability requirements of the Bundeswehr. One significant reason for this is the standardly available air refueling probe and the thereby greatly extended operational radius of the CH-53K.

CH-53K: High Value Contribution in Germany

The substantial involvement of numerous German companies also underscores the importance of the project for the industrial location in Germany. If the Bundeswehr procures the transport helicopter, a large portion of the value added by the CH-53K would occur in Germany. This would lead to new long-term jobs in the high-technology sector for the German industry and an important transfer of know-how.

Reiser will contribute its expertise in training and simulation to the project - especially in simulation offerings and technical solutions for the training of maintenance personnel. The company is a proven partner for training systems of the Bundeswehr, such as in the NH90 project for the Army and the Navy and in the Eurofighter for the Air Force. Reiser thus complements Rheinmetall's competencies in simulation in the STH project in an ideal manner.

In view of the advanced stage of the project, Dr. Roman Sperl, Managing Director of Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH, stated that now is the right time to join the promising and extremely high-performance industrial team. "We are very pleased to be part of the CH-53K team. We are experienced in working with Rheinmetall and together we will contribute to maximizing the operational readiness of the CH-53K." Sperl expressed confidence in the performance of the Sikorsky helicopter: "This helicopter sets an entirely new technological standard. From our perspective, the Bundeswehr would be well advised to choose the most innovative product and the best German industrial team."

The CH-53K ("King Stallion") is currently the most modern, intelligent, and powerful heavy helicopter on the market. The series production of the CH-53K in the USA is progressing as planned. Currently, more than 30 aircraft are in various stages of production. The first deployment of the CH-53K is planned for 2023/24. The CH-53K recently completed a two-year testing phase, including detailed tests of fly-by-wire technology, testing at sea, air refueling, and other exercises under operational conditions successfully. The US program is now entering a training period in which aircraft crews and technicians will be trained to participate in the operational evaluation next spring. The CH-53K fleet has already logged thousands of flight hours.

ABOUT THE GERMAN CH-53K TEAM

Sikorsky early on 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 added value of the project will be created in Germany. The German CH-53K team is led by Rheinmetall. Other team members include Autoflug, Collins Aerospace, Hensoldt, HYDRO Systems, MTU Aero Engines, Rohde & Schwarz, Vincorion, ZFL, and Reiser.

The German-American CH-53K team forms the basic prerequisite for a successful STH program and ensures a high availability of the helicopter as well as reliable support and maintenance - throughout the entire operational life of the helicopter.

RHEINMETALL on the Internet: www.rheinmetall-defence.com