Jane Edwards
Lockheed Martin has announced the completion of envelope expansion flight tests of the Sikorsky-built CH-53K King Stallion helicopter at a facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The CH-53K aircraft lifted a 36,000-pound external payload during a flight demonstration held Feb. 10 at Sikorsky’s facility in Florida, Lockheed said Wednesday.
Sikorsky conducted the external lift flight test as it prepares to deliver the first CH-53K helicopter to the U.S. Marine Corps.
Lockheed noted the helicopter previously lifted a joint light tactical vehicle and other 27,000-pound external payloads.
CH-53K is a heavy-lift helicopter that works to provide maritime- and ground-based logistics support to the Marines and is designed to lift up to 27,000 pounds of external payloads.
Sikorsky and Rheinmetall agreed to team up in February to propose the CH-53K aircraft for a contract to replace Germany’s current fleet of heavy-lift helicopters.
Lockheed is set to demonstrate Sikorksy’s CH-53K helicopter at the ILA Berlin Air Show in Germany in April.
