U.S. Navy Orders More T408-Powered CH-53K Helicopters From Sikorsky
October 30, 2020 | by Nick Hurm
Sikorsky announced this week that it will build six additional production CH-53K King Stallion helicopters under a new contract for the U.S. Navy.
According to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, the six helicopters are part of 200 aircraft Program of Record for the U.S. Marine Corps, and the addition makes a total of 24 CH-53K production aircraft now under contract.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1rl_qp4YE0
The CH-53K is powered by GE Aviation T408 engines. Capable of producing more than 7,500 shaft horsepower, the T408 combines breakthrough technologies, innovative cooling schemes and modern-day durability to deliver numerous mission-critical advantages in the world’s harshest operating environments.
The T408 gives the CH-53K helicopter the power to carry a 27,000-pound external load over a mission radius of 110 nautical miles in hot weather conditions, nearly triple the external load carrying capacity of current aircraft.
GE Aviation’s Lynn plant continues to deliver T408 production engines to the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
Under the terms of this most recent contract – known as Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot 4 – Sikorsky will begin deliveries of the six aircraft in January 2024, it states.
The aircraft will further support the U.S. Marine Corps in its mission to conduct expeditionary heavy-lift assault transport of armored vehicles, equipment and personnel to support distributed operations deep inland from a sea-based center of operations.
According to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, the six helicopters are part of 200 aircraft Program of Record for the U.S. Marine Corps, and the addition makes a total of 24 CH-53K production aircraft now under contract.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1rl_qp4YE0
The CH-53K is powered by GE Aviation T408 engines. Capable of producing more than 7,500 shaft horsepower, the T408 combines breakthrough technologies, innovative cooling schemes and modern-day durability to deliver numerous mission-critical advantages in the world’s harshest operating environments.
The T408 gives the CH-53K helicopter the power to carry a 27,000-pound external load over a mission radius of 110 nautical miles in hot weather conditions, nearly triple the external load carrying capacity of current aircraft.
GE Aviation’s Lynn plant continues to deliver T408 production engines to the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
The T408 engine provides more than 57 percent more power, 18 percent better specific fuel consumption and 63 percent fewer parts than GE's T64 engine.
Under the terms of this most recent contract – known as Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot 4 – Sikorsky will begin deliveries of the six aircraft in January 2024, it states.
The aircraft will further support the U.S. Marine Corps in its mission to conduct expeditionary heavy-lift assault transport of armored vehicles, equipment and personnel to support distributed operations deep inland from a sea-based center of operations.
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