CH-53K helicopter nacelles delivered
Aurora Flight Sciences has announced that it has delivered the first pair of forward engine nacelles to Sikorsky Aircraft for assembly onto the first CH-53K prototype helicopter. The company made the announcement 30 April, 2012.
Made from composite material, each of the nacelles will house and protect a GE38-1B engine rated at 7,500 shaft horse power. Both of the newly delivered nacelles will be integrated onto the CH-53K Ground Test Vehicle at Sikorsky’s Florida Assembly and Flight Operations (FAFO) facility in West Palm Beach, FL. The nacelle for the aircraft’s third engine is embedded with the aircraft’s Main Rotor Pylon, which Aurora delivered to the FAFO in 2011.
The CH-53K is being produced as the US Marine Corps’ new-generation heavy lift rotorcraft. Compared to the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, currently being flown by the Marine Corps, the CH-53K aircraft will nearly triple the payload to 27,000 pounds over 110 nautical miles under high hot ambient conditions. Sikorsky leads an industry team that is designing and building five prototype aircraft and two non-flying test articles as part of a $3+ billion System Development and Demonstration contract.
First flight of the first prototype aircraft is expected in 2014.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
