CH-53K Helicopter

The world's premier heavy lift helicopter is in development at Sikorsky

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The CH-53K model will be the world's premier heavy lift helicopter, leveraging the lessons learned over 50 years of manufacturing and operational success with its CH-53A/D/E predecessors. Built to thrive in the modern battlefield, the extremely capable CH-53K aircraft will be intelligent, reliable, low maintenance and survivable across the full spectrum of operating conditions for which it was designed. Expeditionary in nature, the CH-53K aircraft will be fully shipboard compatible and capable of operating from austere and remote forward operating bases. The CH-53K helicopter is the Marine Corps' critical land and sea based logistics connector.

Powerplant and fuel system

Number of Engines	3
Engine Type	General Electric GE38-1B
Take-off Shaft horsepower (5 min)	18,436 shp	13,748 kw
OEI Shaft horsepower (30 sec)	9,068 shp	6,762 kw

Performance

Maximum Gross Weight	74,000 lbs	33,566 kg
Maximum Cruise Speed	170 kts	315 km/h
Maximum Range - No Reserve	454 nm	841 km
AEO Service Ceiling	14,380 ft	4,383 m
Maximum Alternate Gross Weight	84,700 lbs	38,419 kg
OEI Service Ceiling (MAGW)	7,620 ft	2,213 m
HIGE Ceiling (MAGW)	9,520 ft	2,902 m
HOGE Ceiling (MAGW)	3,180 ft	969 m

Accommodations

Cabin Length	30 ft	9.1 m
Cabin Width	9 ft	2.7 m
Cabin Height	6.5 ft	2.0 m
Cabin Area	270 ft2	24.6 m2
Cabin Volume	1.755 ft3	9.1 m3

Airframe

New build hybrid composite airframe structure - provides lighter weight and lower vibration throughout aircraft life
Improved hydraulics
Large composite sponsons
Integrated Vehicle Health Management System (IVHMS)
Advanced drive system
Improved fuel system with refueling probe
Enhanced ballistic protection
Crashworthy retracting landing gear
Single, dual and triple cargo hook
Advanced light weight armor to protect passengers and crew
Crashworthy troop seats
Integral cargo handling system with rated capacity for two 463L pallets
Self-defense weapons

Avionics and Flight Controls

Rockwell Collins Avionics Management System
Fly-by-wire flight controls
Pilot/co-pilot/crew chief/4th crew
FLIR with helmet-mounted navigational displays
Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE)

Powerplant and fuel system

Three GE38-1B engines
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) with pneumatic start
Integral EAPPS - Engine Air Particle Protection System

Rotor and drive system

Composite main rotor blades with advanced airfoils
New tail rotor head and blades
Elastomeric main rotor head
Advanced drive system

Electrical

Improved electrical systems

Press Releases

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	10.26.11 CH-53K Helicopter Systems Engineering Team Receives DoD Top 5 Programs Award The CH-53K Helicopter Systems Engineering Team won the Department of Defense Systems Engineering Top 5 Programs Award... more
	06.21.11 Sikorsky Assembling CH-53K Helicopter Ground Test Vehicle Sikorsky has begun assembly of the CH-53K Helicopter Ground Test Vehicle (GTV) at Sikorsky’s Florida Assembly and Flight... more
	03.22.11 CH-53K Helicopter Assembly Line Opens at Sikorsky Florida Facility Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. officially opened a new facility at its Florida Assembly and Flight Operations (FAFO) campus,... more

Missions

Contacts

Downloads

CH-53K Mission Brief

CH-53K Brochure

CH-53K Video

Services & Support

CH-53 Helicopter Support

Helpful Links

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