CH-53K King Stallion: The U.S. military’s heavy-lift powerhouse
The CH-53K King Stallion is the most powerful and advanced heavy-lift helicopter ever built, designed to carry massive loads and perform under the most challenging conditions. With a price tag of around $100 million per unit, this beast is a significant investment in the U.S. Marine Corps’ future, showcasing unmatched strength and capability on the battlefield.
The CH-53K King Stallion is the most powerful and advanced heavy-lift helicopter ever built, designed to carry massive loads and perform under the most challenging conditions. With a price tag of around $100 million per unit, this beast is a significant investment in the U.S. Marine Corps’ future, showcasing unmatched strength and capability on the battlefield.
The CH-53K King Stallion is a general redesign of the CH-53E to perform as an optimized vertical, heavy lift, sea-based, long-range solution for the naval force.
The CH-53K King Stallion advances Sikorsky’s 50 years of manufacturing and operational success with its CH-53A, CH-53D/G, and CH-53E predecessors.
Built to thrive on the modern battlefield, including shipboard operations, the CH-53K aircraft is designed to be intelligent, reliable, low maintenance, and survivable in the most austere and remote forward operating bases.The CH-53K uses General Electric T408 (GE38-1B) engines rated at 7,500 shp (5,600kW) each and able to fly 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) faster than its CH-53E predecessor.
It features a new digital glass cockpit with fly-by-wire controls and haptic feedback. HUMS, and a new elastomeric hub system.
The pilots can execute heavy lift missions more effectively and safely day/night and all weather thanks to its modern glass cockpit. Fly-by-wire flight controls facilitate reduced pilot workload for all heavy lift missions.
The most notable attribute of the King Stallion is its ability to maintain increased performance margins in a degraded aeronautical environment, for example, at a higher altitude, hotter climates, and carrying up to 27,000 lbs. out to 110 nautical miles; whereas, the CH-53E would be limited to a 9,628-pound external load in the same
environment.
In addition to meeting IOC criteria, the CH-53K completed a thorough
initial operational test and evaluation period that resulted in over 3,000 mishap-free hours flown in various challenging environments and terrain.
The CH-53K surpasses the capability of its predecessor by carrying nearly 30% more than the CH-53E’s external payload of 27,000 lb (12,200 kg) over the same radius of 110 nmi (204 km).The CH-53K’s payload reaches a maximum of 35,000 lb (15,900 kg). Its engine produces 57% more horsepower with 63% fewer parts than the CH-53E.
The CH-53K also includes an improved external cargo handling system, survivability enhancements, and improvements to extend service life.
On May 5, 2014, it was announced that it would be called King Stallion. The heavy lift helicopter made its international debut and showcased its maneuverability and advanced fly-by-wire technology during demonstration flights at the 2018 ILA Berlin Air Show in Berlin, Germany.
