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Landing a helicopter in low visibility environments is one of the most difficult tasks in aviation for a rotary-wing pilot – add weather like fog wind, or worse and aircraft recovery can be dangerous. The very team who brought naval tactical aviation Precision Landing Mode (PLM) has now set sights on advancing capability and operational readiness for pilots flying legacy…
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The U.S. Marine Corps declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter, validating the platform’s operational readiness to forward deploy Marines and equipment across the globe. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company designed and manufactures the CH-53K, which enables the U.S. Marine Corps and international militaries to move troops and equipment from ship to shore, and to higher…
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Israeli Air Force (IAF) Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Eyal Grinboim visited Naval Air Station Patuxent River in February for a program update and flight on the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter. Grinboim and his staff met with Maj. Gen. Gregory Masiello, program executive officer for air anti-submarine warfare, assault and special mission programs (PEO(A)). Masiello and Col. Jack Perrin, program…
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The CH-53K King Stallion test team, part of the Heavy Lift Program Office, PMA-261, is the recipient of the Department of the Navy Test and Evaluation Working Integrated Product Team (WIPT) award for 2021. The 18-person WIPT will be honored in a virtual ceremony this spring. According to the award announcement the team, “demonstrated superior performance in delivering outcomes while…
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Prioritizing affordability and utilizing advanced manufacturing techniques, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, will build nine additional CH-53K™ aircraft at a lower unit price than previous lot buys, resulting in significant savings for the U.S. government and taxpayers. The company’s experienced supply chain coupled with its active digital approach drives speed and affordability throughout design, development, production, and sustainment. The CH-53K…
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The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has signed a Letter of Acceptance with the United States government to purchase the CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter on December 30. “We’re happy the IAF recognizes the unrivaled capabilities and performance of the K and have chosen to move forward with us,” said Colonel Jack Perrin, Program Manager, heavy lift helicopter program office…
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In a first for the Marine Corps, Marines from Marine Operational Test & Evaluation Squadron One conducted over-the-horizon heavy lift and troop transport ship-to-shore operations aboard CH-53K King Stallions over the Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 19-21. These exercises are a critical component of the Marine Corps’ future force operating concepts, such as expeditionary advanced base operations and distributed operations. “We are…
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A Vietnam-era aircraft platform facing a challenging supply posture seems an unlikely candidate for an underdog victory story. But that’s just what happened when Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) artisans made a hard push to the finish line to complete and return to the fleet two H-53 heavy-lift helicopters – each having seen various stages of work stoppage during their…
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December 2, 2020 – U.S. Marines are now preparing to fly, maintain and sustain the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter, which will enable them to safely complete longer-range missions in harsher environments compared to the current fleet of aircraft. The suite of training devices from Lockheed Martin were recently declared Ready for Training at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River…
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