WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.,
June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced the CH-53K King
Stallion successfully completed an external lift of a 27,000 pound
payload at Sikorsky's Development Flight Test Center in
West Palm Beach, Fla.
The aircraft executed an "out of ground effect" (OGE) external
load test at 100 feet above the ground while performing hover
maneuvers to demonstrate its excellent control authority in this
flight regime. An OGE load is the most stressful of lift conditions
for a helicopter from a power required standpoint. OGE is defined
as an altitude greater than the helicopter's main rotor diameter
(79 feet in the King Stallion's case) where power demand greatly
increases due to loss of the benefit of ground effect.
"This 27,000 pound external lift is yet another key milestone
for the program," said Dr. Michael
Torok, Sikorsky Vice President, CH-53K Programs. "The King
Stallion achieved this external lift with ease, and we are on track
to successfully complete the initial operational assessment this
year."
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, is developing the CH-53K
King Stallion heavy lift helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps.
The CH-53K has already achieved speeds exceeding 140 knots, and
a third CH-53K King Stallion helicopter has joined the flight test
program thereby accelerating the pace to full aircraft maturity and
production. The first two aircraft have already verified the King
Stallion's capabilities well in excess of the predecessor CH-53E. A
fourth King Stallion is currently in final preparation for flight
status and on track to join the flight test program this
summer.
"Lifting 27,000 pounds in OGE conditions is another key
milestone for the program, which further confirms our confidence in
the design and performance of the aircraft," said Col. Hank Vanderborght, U.S. Marine Corps Program
Manager for the Naval Air Systems Command's Heavy Lift Helicopters
Program. "This is the most strenuous condition we had to
demonstrate from a performance standpoint prior to achieving
Milestone 'C' and entering production."
The King Stallion will carry a 27,000 pound external load over
110 nautical miles at 91.5°F at an altitude of 3,000 feet – a Navy
operational requirement for "high hot" conditions. The CH-53K
helicopter will provide unmatched heavy lift capability with
reduced logistics footprint and reduced support costs over its
entire life cycle.
CH-53K pilots can execute heavy lift missions more effectively
and safely in day/night and all weather with the King Stallion's
modern glass cockpit. Fly-by-wire flight controls reduce pilot
workload for all heavy lift missions including external loads,
maritime operations, and operation in degraded visual environments.
With more than triple the payload capability of the predecessor
CH-53E, the King Stallion's increased capability can accommodate a
range of payloads from an internally loaded High Mobility
Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) up to three independent
external loads at once, providing wide mission flexibility and
system efficiency. Additionally, a locking U.S. Air Force pallet
compatible cargo rail system reduces both effort and time to load
and unload palletized cargo.
The U.S. Department of Defense's Program of Record remains at
200 CH-53K aircraft. The first four of the 200 are scheduled for
delivery next year to the USMC. An additional four aircraft are
under long lead procurement for parts and materials with delivery
scheduled in 2019. USMC initial operating capability is scheduled
for 2019. The Marine Corps intends to stand up eight active duty
squadrons, one training squadron, and one reserve squadron to
support operational requirements.
This press release contains forward looking statements
concerning opportunities for development, production and sale of
helicopters. Actual results may differ materially from those
projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including
but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and
practices, budget plans, availability of funding and in the type
and number of aircraft required; challenges in the design,
development, production and support of advanced technologies; as
well as other risks and uncertainties including but not limited to
those detailed from time to time in Lockheed Martin Corporation's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace
company that employs approximately 125,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services.
For additional information, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin