CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter to Make International Debut in Berlin Air Show

CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter to Make International Debut in Berlin Air Show

Photo courtesy of Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin

A Sikorsky CH-53K heavy lift helicopter arrived in Holzdorf, Germany, ahead of its international debut at the ILA Berlin Air Show.

This is the first time a King Stallion helicopter has been loaded into a C-17 Globemaster and transported to the base of a European ally. The CH-53K was partially disassembled, loaded into the C-17 cabin and then unloaded while representatives from Naval Air Systems Command and the US Marine Corps observed the exercise. As a result, the CH-53K program achieved its Air Transportability Test Loading Activity certification from the US Air Force.

The CH-53K King Stallion test program recently completed the following milestones: maximum weight single-point cargo hook sling load of 36,000 pounds (16,329 kg); forward flight speed of 200 knots; 60 degrees angle of bank turns; 12-degree slope landings and takeoffs; external load auto-jettison; and gunfire testing. These milestones come just weeks ahead of Sikorsky delivering the first CH-53K helicopter to the US Marines.

The helicopter will remain at the Holzdorf Air Base, a military airfield operated by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), until the start of the ILA Berlin Air Show. The CH-53K will showcase its capabilities, maneuverability and advanced fly-by-wire technology during demonstration flights at the air show.

 

[Source: Defence Blog]