CH-53K: The U.S. Marines’ HLR Helicopter Program
May 13, 2021 04:58 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff
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CH-53K Concept
Takeoff?
May 13/21: Engineering and Program Management Support Sikorsky won a $17.3 million contract modification external link, that adds scope to provide production system engineering and program management support in support of CH-53K aircraft low-rate initial production. The CH-53K is the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) heavy lift replacement for the CH-53E. The CH-53K is a new-build helicopter that will expand the fleet’s ability to move more material, more rapidly throughout the area of responsibility using proven and mature technologies. Work will take place in Stratford, Connecticut and is expected to be finished in June 2022.
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Sikorsky: CH-53K from LHD
CH-53K concept
The U.S. Marines have a problem. They rely on their CH-53E Super Stallion medium-heavy lift helicopters to move troops, vehicles, and supplies off of their ships. But the helicopters are wearing out. Fast. The pace demanded by the Global War on Terror is relentless, and usage rates are 3 times normal. Attrition is taking its toll. Over the past few years, CH-53s have been recalled from “boneyard” storage at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ, in order to maintain fleet numbers in the face of recent losses and forced retirements. Now, there are no flyable spares left.
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ch53k-the-us-marines-hlr-helicopter-program-updated-01724/#more-1724
