The CH-53K Super Stallion being developed by Sikorsky Aircraft has undergone structural testing. (Sikorsky Aircraft)

April 11, 2014 By Richard Tomkins (UPI)

The CH-53K helicopter being developed by Sikorsky Aircraft undergoes the Static Article Test to verify its structural strength

STRATFORD, Conn. -- An initial series of tests to verify the structural strength of the new CH-53K Super Stallion helicopter have successfully been completed by Sikorsky Aircraft.

The tests, required by the U.S. Naval Air Systems, were conducted using a full-size, non-flying airframe called the Static Test Article.

"The Static Test Article will enable Sikorsky to replicate the many stresses, strains and aerodynamic forces the CH-53K helicopter will experience during all aspects of flight, whether the aircraft is empty, filled with cargo, or carrying up to 36,000 pounds of gear suspended beneath the aircraft by an external sling," said Mike Torok, Sikorsky's CH-53K program vice president.

"By placing incrementally heavier static loads on various parts of the airframe assembly -- including those well beyond the airframe's analytical design strength -- we can measure structural integrity, airworthiness and crash worthiness, and verify safety margins for all expected operational conditions," Torok said.

"The Static Test Article is composed of the cockpit, cabin, fuel sponsons, a transition section and the tail rotor pylon -- all suspended off the ground by the shaft of the aircraft’s main rotor gearbox. Surrounding support beams hold the numerous hydraulic cylinders that apply the flight and inertial loads to parts of the airframe assembly,” Sikorsky said.

Component-representative weights that simulate the presence of the engines and landing gear are also part of the configuration.

Six tests have been performed to date and testing will continue for another two years, the company said.

The CH-53K is a heavy-lift aircraft with a cruise speed of 196 miles per hour and a combat radius of 110 miles. The U.S. Marine Corps plans to procure some 200 CH-53Ks, which are expected to become operational in 2018.

14 January 2013 naval-technology.com

Sikorsky Aircraft has awarded a contract to Cobham Aerospace Communications for the production of area microphone preamplifiers in support of the US Marine Corps' (USMC) next-generation heavy-lift rotorcraft, the CH-53K Super Stallion.

Known as Model 265-005 and used in a wide range of aircraft applications, the area microphone preamplifier will help in detecting and amplifying signals that are sent out of the cockpit and routes them to voice recorders.

Compatible with various other voice and data recorders, the equipment is available is different industry mounting standards such as DZUS panel mount, glare shield surface mount, and integrated or remotely-connected microphone options.

The CH-53K Super Stallion is a large, heavy-lift cargo helicopter and features three 7,500shp (5,590kW) engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider cabin than previous CH-53 variants.

The helicopter is equipped with a new elastomeric hub system, a low-maintenance elastomeric rotor head, upgraded engines and a locking cargo rail system.

Capable of carrying more than 27,000lb of external load in extreme weather conditions, the CH-53K helicopters are being developed to replace the existing CH-53E Super Stallions in 2019.

Two additional ground test helicopters are currently undergoing airframe structural testing at the company's US facility in Stratford, Connecticut, while all the four follow-on helicopters will undergo flight testing between 2014 and 2015.

Expected to continue through and beyond 2020, Sikorsky team for the CH-53K, 200-ship programme contract involves Aurora Flight Sciences, ITT Excelis, GKN Aerospace and Spirit Aerosystems.

1/31/2012 STRATEGY PAGE

U.S. Marines conduct insertion exercises from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 19, 2012. The Marines are assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island. The ship is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alan Gragg