The CH-53K King Stallion completed a two-week period of sea trials in the Atlantic earlier this month. This was the first opportunity to see the aircraft working in a modern naval environment.
The tests were conducted on the USS Wasp, a Helicopter Dock Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) operated by the US Navy.
“I am very satisfied with the progress of the ship's tests”, said Col. Jack Perrin, manager of the H-53 helicopter program. “We were able to evaluate the K taking off and landing day, night and with night vision goggles, and it performed extremely well.”
According to the CH-53K Integrated Test Team, sea trials are a series of tests to assess the aircraft's performance at sea. Tests performed during the two weeks included: launch and recovery; starting and stopping the rotor; blade bend; and onboard compatibility testing – all in increasing wind speeds and different wind directions relative to the aircraft.
“Most of the testing was on launch and recovery,” Perrin said, “and we stuck it every time, regardless of wind/sea conditions. The 53K is now a “wet feet” warrior of the sea".
Ship compatibility testing includes towing the aircraft around the deck and in the hangar, performing maintenance while on board the ship, ensuring the aircraft will fit in all necessary locations around the ship's deck and hangar, and evaluating ship compatibility procedures. chain / lashing.
The CH-53K King Stallion continues to run within the rescheduled CH-53K schedule, moving towards the completion of developmental testing, leading to initial operational testing and evaluation in 2021 and the first fleet deployment in 2023-2024.
Source: NAVAIR
