Aerial refuelling? No problem.

The heavy transport helicopter CH-53K King Stallion has successfully completed multiple air refueling tests with the U.S. Marine Corps tanker aircraft KC-130J Super Hercules. The multi-hour test flight took place off the east coast of the United States in early April. With this, the newly developed transport helicopter from Sikorsky in the CH-53 family has achieved another important milestone. Air refueling is an essential capability that the new Heavy Transport Helicopter (STH) of the German Armed Forces is also expected to have. An industrial team led by Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky and Rheinmetall is competing with the CH-53K, currently the most modern, intelligent, and capable helicopter on the market, for this ongoing Bundeswehr tender.

Specifically, the modern electronic fly-by-wire flight control system of the CH-53K also significantly reduces the workload of crews during air refueling. This was also demonstrated in the flight tests that have recently been carried out. The ability to air refuel is an important foundation for flying long distances without landing and significantly extends the operational options of the CH-53K. This allows for deployment to distant operational areas and substantially longer mission durations. The helicopter can transport more personnel and material over greater distances and under challenging operational conditions than any other helicopter of its kind.

In the future, the German Armed Forces will also have the transport aircraft C-130J from Lockheed Martin alongside the same tanker aircraft. The cargo pallets of the 463L standards will be used in the cargo hold of the C-130J, which can also be transported by the CH-53K. The use of the same pallets in aircraft and transport helicopter is a significant advantage for material loading.

Interoperability also strengthens military cooperation between Germany and France: Both countries are currently establishing a joint C-130J/KC-130J aircraft fleet at the Évreux location. Similarly, interoperability with other transport aircraft in Europe, such as the A400M, is an advantage in joint missions due to the use of standardized cargo pallets.

The series production of the CH-53K has been started as planned at the Sikorsky facility in Connecticut. Currently, a total of 31 aircraft are in various stages of production. The deployment of the first USMC CH-53K operational contingent is scheduled for 2023/24.
In Germany, the CH-53K is currently competing for the procurement project "Heavy Transport Helicopter STH" of the Bundeswehr. The final decision on the award of the new transport helicopter shall be made in early 2021. The first delivery of the aircraft could take place from 2024, as required, to allow for a seamless transition from the current CH-53G fleet, train the corresponding personnel, and establish the logistical foundations for operations in Germany. At that time, the delivered CH-53K of the USMC will already be operational, and the aircraft crews and maintenance technicians will be able to support the initial training of Bundeswehr personnel based on their experiences. The establishment of the STH fleet of the Bundeswehr and the transition from the currently used CH-53G is expected to be completed by 2032.

Rheinmetall on the internet: www.rheinmetall.com

Lockheed Martin on the internet: www.lockheedmartin.com