I primi test in mare dell'elicottero aggiornato CH-53K Super Stallion

I Marines hanno effettuato i primi test in mare dell'elicottero aggiornato CH-53K Super Stallion a bordo della nave d'assalto anfibio USS WASP. 

I test hanno riguardato: 

• 369 appontaggi e decolli dai 9 spot dell'unità, 
• accensione e spegnimento motori, 
• tutta una serie di attività per valutare la compatibilità della macchina con la nave, 
• le interfacce con i sistemi di rifornimento, 
• i sistemi di alimentazione elettrica, 
• l’hangaraggio, 
• La manutenzione a bordo. 

La campagna, che ha avuto una durata di 2 settimane ed è stata condotta in diverse condizioni di vento e di velocità della USS WASP.  Il CH 53 SUPER STALLION svolgerà la Initial Operational Test and Evaluation nel 2021 e la capacità operativa tra il 2023 ed il 2024.

Il Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion è una nuova versione, in fase finale di sviluppo, del più grande e pesante elicottero in dotazione allo United States Marine Corps Aviation, il Sikorsky CH-53E Sea Stallion.

Sviluppo

Il Corpo dei Marines aveva programmato di aggiornare la maggior parte dei suoi CH-53E per tenerli più a lungo in servizio, ma questo progetto entrò in una fase di stallo. La Sikorsky, avendo appurato l'interesse dei Marines per un aggiornamento della macchina, propose una nuova versione in origine denominata "CH-53X". Accettata questa nuova variante, nell'aprile 2006, l'USMC firmò un contratto del valore di 18,8 miliardi di dollari per 156 esemplari costruiti ex novo che furono denominati "CH-53K", da consegnarsi entro il 2021. I marines avevano in programma di iniziare a ritirare i CH-53E nel 2009 ed avevano bisogno dei nuovi elicotteri molto rapidamente perché alcune cellule avrebbero iniziato ad accusare limiti strutturali di vita entro il 2011-12. Le prime prove in volo del CH-53K sarebbero dovute iniziare nel 2011. Il primo esemplare di serie è stato consegnato il 16 maggio 2018 per entrare nel Supportability Test Plan (STP) sulla Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) a Jacksonville, nella Carolina del Nord. L'STP comporta una valutazione logistica sulla manutenzione, il mantenimento e il supporto complessivo del CH-53K, contestualmente alla convalida delle procedure di manutenzione con i manutentori dell'USMC. Garantirà prontezza e supporto sulla linea di volo fino a quando il CH-53K entrerà in servizio verso la fine del 2019.

Progettazione

Il CH-53K è una riprogettazione generale del CH-53E Sea Stallion. I principali miglioramenti sono nuovi motori e una cabina di pilotaggio riprogettata, dotata di strumentazione completamente digitale e comandi fly-by-wire. Il CH-53K avrà più del doppio della capacità di sollevamento e del raggio di azione del CH-53E e una stiva più ampia per permettere di trasportarvi un Humvee. Sarà caratterizzato da nuovi sponson in materiale composito di forma più tozza e stretta, in modo da ridurre la larghezza complessiva, dando così all'elicottero un'impronta a terra più contenuta nelle operazioni a bordo delle portaerei d'assalto anfibio.
Avrà, inoltre, un rotore dotato di nuove pale in materiali compositi, con tecnologia simile a quella attualmente presente sull'UH-60 Black Hawk. Le tre turbine utilizzate saranno le General Electric GE38-1B. Questa turbina è stata scelta in una rosa di concorrenti che comprendeva la turbina Pratt e Whitney Canada PW150 e una derivata dalla Rolls-Royce AE 1107C-Liberty utilizzata sul convertiplano V-22 Osprey.

Nel mese di agosto 2007, l'USMC ha aumentato il suo ordine di CH-53K da 156 a 227 esemplari. Quando entrerà in servizio, sarà utilizzato come elicottero da trasporto e sollevamento pesante, mentre l'Osprey sarà destinato a trasporti meno voluminosi e l'UH-1Y come elicottero utility.

Il 4 dicembre 2012 la Sikorsky ha consegnato il primo CH-53K, un banco di prova a terra per testare tutte le modifiche apportate, volte a migliorare le prestazioni della cellula. Il primo volo è avvenuto il 27 ottobre 2015. Interesse per questa nuova versione è stato mostrato da parte dell'aviazione israeliana che, nel 2009, ha dichiarato di voler valutare la nuova variante dopo il primo volo. Nel mese di agosto 2015, l'aviazione israeliana ha formalizzato un requisito per il CH-53K, precisando di voler sostituire i suoi CH-53 "Yasur" dopo il 2025, quando questi avranno esaurito le ore di volo disponibili.

Il CH-53K si distingue principalmente per la fusoliera più larga rispetto alle precedenti varianti della gamma CH-53, proprio per agevolare le procedure di carico ed aumentare il carico pagante. Per queste esigenze la potenza disponibile è stata accresciuta mediante l'adozione di tre turbine General Electric GE-38-1B in grado di generare fino a 7 500 shp ciascuna. L'elicottero raggiunge, quindi, 38 400 kg di peso massimo al decollo e può caricare fino a 16 tonnellate di carico o 37 soldati equipaggiati (fino a 55 con un'ulteriore fila centrale di posti). Il CH-53K ha una velocità di crociera di 315 km/h, un raggio d'azione di 200 km ed un'autonomia di oltre 850 km.

Potenziali utilizzatori:

• Germania - Nel febbraio 2018, Sikorsky sigla un accordo del valore di ca. 4 miliardi di Euro con Rheinmetall per il programma di sostituzione dei CH-53G della Bundeswehr, dove il CH-53K è in competizione con il Boeing CH-47 Chinook. Germania – Bundeswehr – Richiesta ufficiale di offerta per 41 esemplari emessa a fine 2018.
• Israele - Le Forze di difesa israeliane hanno mostrato interesse per il CH-53K nel 2009. Nell'agosto 2015, il Governo israeliano ufficializza l'interesse come "very high priority". L'attuale CH-53 "Yasur" rimarrà operativo fino al 2025.
• Israele – Forze di difesa israeliane – Richiesta di offerta per 20 esemplari.
• Giappone - Dimostrazione di interesse per il CH-53K.

Utilizzatori:

• Stati Uniti - United States Marine Corps Aviation - 194 esemplari ordinati.

ENGLISH

The Marines carried out the first sea trials of the new super-heavy helicopter CH-53K SUPER STALLION aboard the amphibious assault ship USS WASP. The tests involved 369 take-offs and take-offs from the 9 spots of the unit, engine on/off and a whole series of activities to assess the compatibility of the machine with the ship, in particular the interfaces with the refueling and power supply systems, hangarage and on-board maintenance. The campaign, which lasted 2 weeks, was conducted in different wind and speed conditions of the vessel. All details on RID 8/20. SUEPR STALLION will carry out the IOT&E (Initial Operational Test and Evaluation) next year, with the aim of achieving a first operational capability between 2023 and 2024.

The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military. As the Sikorsky S-80 it was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, adding a seventh blade to the main rotor and canting the tail rotor 20 degrees. It was built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps. The less common MH-53E Sea Dragon fills the United States Navy's need for long range minesweeping or Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) missions, and perform heavy-lift duties for the Navy. Under development is the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, which has new engines, new composite material rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin; this is to replace the CH-53E.

Development

Background

The CH-53 was the product of the U.S. Marines' "Heavy Helicopter Experimental" (HH(X)) competition begun in 1962. Sikorsky's S-65 was selected over Boeing Vertol's modified CH-47 Chinook version. The prototype YCH-53A first flew on 14 October 1964. The helicopter was designated "CH-53A Sea Stallion" and delivery of production helicopters began in 1966. The first CH-53As were powered by two General Electric T64-GE-6 turboshaft engines with 2,850 shp (2,125 kW) and had a maximum gross weight of 46,000 lb (20,865 kg) including 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) in payload.

Variants of the original CH-53A Sea Stallion include the RH-53A/D, HH-53B/C, CH-53D, CH-53G, and MH-53H/J/M. The RH-53A and RH-53D were used by the US Navy for mine sweeping. The CH-53D included a more powerful version of the General Electric T64 engine, used in all H-53 variants, and external fuel tanks. The CH-53G was a version of the CH-53D produced in West Germany for the German Army.

The US Air Force's HH-53B/C "Super Jolly Green Giant" were for special operations and combat rescue and were first deployed during the Vietnam War. The Air Force's MH-53H/J/M Pave Low helicopters were the last of the twin engined H-53s and were equipped with extensive avionics upgrades for all weather operation.

H-53E

In October 1967, the US Marine Corps issued a requirement for a helicopter with a lifting capacity 1.8 times that of the CH-53D that would fit on amphibious warfare ships. The US Navy and US Army were also seeking similar helicopters at the time. Before issue of the requirement Sikorsky had been working on an enhancement to the CH-53D, under the company designation "S-80", featuring a third turboshaft engine and a more powerful rotor system. Sikorsky proposed the S-80 design to the Marines in 1968. The Marines liked the idea since it promised to deliver a good solution quickly, and funded development of a testbed helicopter for evaluation.

In 1970, against pressure by the US Defense Secretary to take the Boeing Vertol XCH-62 being developed for the Army, the Navy and Marines were able to show the Army's helicopter was too large to operate on landing ships and were allowed to pursue their helicopter.[3] Prototype testing investigated the addition of a third engine and a larger rotor system with a seventh blade in the early 1970s. In 1974, the initial YCH-53E first flew.

Changes on the CH-53E also include a stronger transmission and a fuselage stretched 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m). The main rotor blades were changed to a titanium-fiberglass composite. The tail configuration was also changed. The low-mounted symmetrical horizontal tail was replaced by a larger vertical tail and the tail rotor tilted from the vertical to provide some lift in hover while counteracting the main rotor torque. Also added was a new automatic flight control system. The digital flight control system prevented the pilot from overstressing the aircraft.

YCH-53E testing showed that it could lift 17.8 tons (to a 50-foot (15 m) wheel height), and without an external load, could reach 170 knots (310 km/h) at a 56,000 pound gross weight. This led to two preproduction aircraft and a static test article being ordered. At this time the tail was redesigned to include a high-mounted, horizontal surface opposite the rotor with an inboard section perpendicular to the tail rotor then at the strut connection cants 20 degrees to horizontal. This helps with tilt at high speed.

The initial production contract was awarded in 1978, and service introduction followed in February 1981. The first production CH-53E flew in December 1980. The US Navy acquired the CH-53E in small numbers for shipboard resupply. The Marines and Navy acquired a total of 177.

The Navy requested a version of the CH-53E for the airborne mine countermeasures role, designated "MH-53E Sea Dragon". It has enlarged sponsons to provide substantially greater fuel storage and endurance. It also retained the in-flight refueling probe, and could be fitted with up to seven 300 US gallon (1,136 liter) ferry tanks internally. The MH-53E digital flight-control system includes features specifically designed to help tow minesweeping gear. The prototype MH-53E made its first flight on 23 December 1981. MH-53E was used by the Navy beginning in 1986. The MH-53E is capable of in-flight refueling and can be refueled at hover.

Additionally, a number of MH-53E helicopters were exported to Japan as the S-80-M-1 for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

The base model CH-53E serves both the US Navy and Marines in the heavy lift transport role. It is capable of lifting heavy equipment including the eight-wheeled LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle, the M198 155 mm Howitzer with ammunition and crew. The Super Stallion can recover aircraft up to its size, which includes all Marine Corps aircraft except for the KC-130.

The 53E needs 40 maintenance hours per flight hour due to aging parts, lack of available new replacement parts and the extension of the overall airframe lifetime.

CH-53K

The US Marine Corps had been planning to upgrade most of their CH-53Es to keep them in service, but this plan stalled. Sikorsky then proposed a new version, originally the "CH-53X", and in April 2006, the USMC signed a contract for 156 aircraft as the "CH-53K". The Marines are planning to start retiring CH-53Es in 2009 and need new helicopters very quickly.

In August 2007, the USMC increased its order of CH-53Ks to 227. Their first flight was planned for November 2011 with initial operating capability by 2015.

Design

Although dimensionally similar, the three engine CH-53E Super Stallion or Sikorsky S-80 is a much more powerful aircraft than the original Sikorsky S-65 twin engined CH-53A Sea Stallion. The CH-53E also added a larger main rotor system with a seventh blade.

The CH-53E was designed for transporting up to 55 troops with the installation of seats along the cabin center line or 30,000 lb (13,610 kg) of cargo and can carry external slung loads up to 36,000 lb (16,330 kg).[3] The CH-53E has incorporated the same crash attenuating seats as the MV-22B to increase survivability of passengers but reduced its troop transport capacity to 30. The Super Stallion has a cruise speed of 173 mph (278 km/h) and a range of 621 miles (1,000 km). The helicopter is fitted with a forward extendable in-flight refueling probe. It can carry three machine guns: one at the starboard side crew door; one at the port window, just behind the copilot; and a firing position on the tail ramp. The CH-53E also has chaff-flare dispensers.

The MH-53E features enlarged side-mounted fuel sponsons and is rigged for towing various minesweeping and hunting gear from above the dangerous naval mines. The Sea Dragon can be equipped for minesweeping, cargo and passenger transportation. Its digital flight-control system includes features specifically designed to help towing mine sweeping gear.

In addition, the CH-53E has been upgrade to included the Helicopter Night Vision System (HNVS), improved .50 BMG (12.7 mm) GAU-21/A and M3P machine guns, and AAQ-29A forward looking infrared (FLIR) imager.

The CH-53E and the MH-53E are the largest helicopters in the Western world, while the CH-53K now being developed will be even larger. They are fourth in the world to the Russian Mil Mi-26 Halo single-rotor helicopter and the enormous, twin transverse rotored Mil V-12 Homer, which can lift more than 22 tons (20 tonnes) and 44 tons (40 tonnes), respectively and the Mi-26's single-rotor predecessor Mil Mi-6, which has less payload (12 tonnes) but is bigger and has a higher MTOW at 42 tonnes.

Operational history

1980s

The Super Stallion variant first entered service with the creation of Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 464 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. Two more squadrons were created at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California over the next several years, HMH-465 and HMH-466. In addition, one west coast training squadron, HMT-301, was given Super Stallions as was one more east coast squadron, HMH-772, out of a reserve base at NASJRB Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Since then, other Marine Heavy lift squadrons have retired their CH-53As and Ds, replacing them with Es.

The Marine Corps CH-53E saw its first shipboard deployment in 1983 when four CH-53E helicopters from HMH-464 deployed aboard USS Iwo Jima as part of the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit (24th MAU). During this deployment Marines were sent ashore in Beirut, Lebanon as peace keepers and established perimeters at and near the Beirut International Airport. On 23 October 1983, a truck bomb detonated by terrorists destroyed the Marine barracks in Beirut, killing nearly 240 service members as they slept. CH-53E helicopters from the 24th MAU provided critical combat support during this operation.

1990s

In 1991, two CH-53Es along with several CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters were sent to evacuate U.S. and foreign nationals from the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia—Operation Eastern Exit—as violence enveloped the city during the Somalian Civil War.

During Operation Desert Storm, MH-53E shipboard based Sea Dragons were used for mine clearing operations in the Persian Gulf off Kuwait.

On 8 June 1995, Captain Scott O'Grady, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot shot down over Bosnia, was rescued by two CH-53Es.

2000s

On 26 October 2001, three CH-53Es aboard USS Peleliu and three CH-53Es aboard USS Bataan flew 550 miles (890 km) to secure the first land base in Afghanistan, Camp Rhino, with 1100 troops at its peak. This amphibious raid is the longest amphibious raid in history. The long range capability of the CH-53Es enabled Marines to establish a southern base in Afghanistan, putting the war on the ground.

Super Stallions again played a major role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. They were critical to moving supplies and ammunition to the most forward Marine units and also assisted in moving casualties back to the rear for follow on care. Marine CH-53Es and CH-46Es carried US Army Rangers and Special Operations troops in a mission to rescue captured Army Private Jessica Lynch on 1 April 2003.

Currently, about 150 CH-53E helicopters are in service with the Marines and another 28 MH-53Es are in service with the U.S Navy. The CH-53 requires 44 maintenance hours per flight hour. A flight hour costs about $20,000.

Variants:

• YCH-53E - United States military designation for two Sikorsky S-65E (later S-80E) prototypes.
• CH-53E Super Stallion - United States military designation for the S-80E heavy lift transport variant for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, 170 built.
• MH-53E Sea Dragon - United States military designation for the S-80M mine-countermeasures variant for the United States Navy, 50 built.
• VH-53F - Proposed presidential transport variant, not-built.
• S-80E - Export variant of the heavy lift transport variant, not-built.
• S-80M - Export variant of the mine-countermeasures variant, 11-built for Japan. The last were retired in 2017.

(Web, Google, Wikipedia, You Tube)