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If the RAF send the display aircraft and crew it will be very interesting. I've said before, the GAF say both aircraft meet the Threshold requirement. Chinook is about a third of the price to buy, is mature, and in series production / service with several European air arms that the GAF could request support from. Block II is coming, but it's a low-risk incremental improvement. Proposed Block III with the bigger engines/upgraded transmissions will further close the gap. They have no need for the cost, weight and complexity of a marinised platform and, if the Israelis are thinking Chinook, they will likely be the only export customer. The GAF may wish to ask the Canadians how that feels...... Unless you want to lift something really, really heavy or go to war on a ship, then -53K looks like it will struggle against the default answer - "Chinook". That all said, -53K might be a better option for France if it decides to "go large"....
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The Chinook will outlive me by about a Century!
I flew number 10 of the original bunch! |
From Ian C:
“Let's see what happens when Boeing sticks a couple of T408s in the CH-47.” Installation of the K engines so as to utilize their power would require design and qualification, ground and flight testing of five new transmissions, associated drive train and mounts for all, the same for the mechanical controls ( servos, pushrods etc ), same for both new rotor heads and most likely new blades. By the time Boeing added up that bill, they would most probably decide to finally go fly-by-wire with the CH-47, as well as trading in significant parts of the dated metal fuselage for composite structure where appropriate. It winds up being a whole new machine, with costs significantly higher than the 47F, but a bit less than the 53K ( after all it has two, vs three engines ). Boeing certainly has the technology to do it, so the question of using the K engines becomes an investment decision balanced against the customer needs and availability/justification for DOD funds. |
CH-53K makes historic flight in Germany
https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2018...509.1514242557
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/808/4...2bebd677_k.jpg (photo courtesy of Sikorsky) cheers |
I enjoyed Sikorsky's recent cheeky claim that the CH-53K "...will be fielded to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) as a fully-operational aircraft in 2019" (IOC is planned for December 2019, with FOC following in 2029), but it now looks like even the IOC date will slip into 2020: Lockheed’s $31 billion helicopter slipping behind schedule, Pentagon says.
Lockheed Martin Corp.'s new $31 billion helicopter for the Marine Corps may be falling behind schedule and could miss its target for initial combat capability by as much as eight months, Pentagon analysts say. Defense Department officials are tracking more than 1,000 current or projected “mission-impacting technical issues” that present “a high risk” to the CH-53K helicopter meeting its December 2019 goal, according to a program review document. |
The current projected acquisition cost, including development, is $139.5 million per aircraft, according to the acquisition report. That’s 20 percent more than the original baseline set in 2005. A 1982 law would require notifying Congress if the overrun reaches 30 percent of the baseline or more. |
SirK,
Might be time to break out the "Nunn-McCurdy Popcorn" for the -53K. Think it triggers at 25% over-run, so we're not far off now. Big, big risk for the Germans if it happens, Sikorsky and the USMC will focus entirely on US activity and they will be left to feel like, I imagine, Canada buying Cyclones. An undoubtedly impressive aircraft, but at an absolutely eye-watering cost...... |
First bird delivered to New River, though I am guessing this is for Opeval? The article mentions an IOC 2019 estimate.
(Anyone know if the simulator is up and running in New River?) |
Berlin approves funds for CH53 replacement
Think it was last night when the German Federal government approved funding for replacement of their legacy Luftwaffe CH-53G/GA fleet. So may the best man win Cheers https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/d...-lift-package/ |
CH-53K Delay
https://www.rotorandwing.com/2019/01...entry-service/ From the above all is not well in 53K world with program being delayed at least 2 more years to fix problems with basically every new system on the aircraft. Son of Cyvlone? |
If it is at New River....then I should be seeing it flying near my home....as the Marines use Atlantic OLF that is just up the road a bit from me......along with MCAS Cherry Point.
They use Beaufort Airport for Osprey training as well and on occasions the 53's make an appearance there as well. Wednesday's seems to be the busiest day of the week for operations around where I live. This week there has been a War going on....lots of explosions heard....as bombing ranges are quite close by. If I see the "K" I will try to get some photos. |
Israel selects King Stallion
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Nice ! The American tax payers, or what's left of them, shall enjoy buying those for Israel. It certainly was the natural selection. Around $125m a piece now.
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