Striling Dynamics delivers CH-53K active controls

Stirling Dynamics announced on 5 December that it has delivered its first set of CH-53K active controls to Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland.

The system will be used in a development and test simulator to supplement aircraft testing. The CH-53K will begin replacing the CH-53E Super Stallion when it is deployed to the US Marine Corps fleet in 2023/24.

Commenting on their new CH-53K simulator products, Stirling’s ACT business manager, Jonathan Boon, said, ‘Stirling’s simulator product range is fully active (providing force feedback and tactile cueing) and compact with no mechanical linkages which were the perfect starting point for developing a bespoke cockpit set for a CH-53K simulator.

‘Not only is the aircraft active but the CH-53K’s controls feature side arm controllers that replace the more conventional central cyclic controls and as such herald the future of helicopter cockpit ergonomics. Other technologies on the market would struggle to provide a “drop-in” solution that provides all the features and fidelity required to replicate this aircraft. There is currently nothing else on the market like the CH-53K units we have developed with our customer. They are unique and have been designed to mimic the form and feel characteristics of the real aircraft controls.’