![]() ![]() Located both fore and aft on each side of the fuselage, the new windows can support impressive crew weapons while providing exceptional situational awareness for aircrew and gunners. The same notion was carried into the cabin where the windows are twice the width of legacy windows. In fact, the window size is among the first things that veteran -53E pilots comment on when they climb into the -53K. The five Multi-Function Displays (MFDs) and two Control Display Units (CDUs) allow pilots to manage the aircraft and mission, while powerful diagnostic functions constantly monitor the vehicle’s performance and health, allowing maintainers to address issues before they impact mission readiness.Īdditional safety benefits stem from reducing the number of panels and switches and automating routine tasks, while keeping necessary functions at top level to reduce prolonged heads-down time.Ī recurring complaint heard from CH-53E pilots is that the field of view is too narrow.ĭesigners heard this and built the -53K with almost twice the cockpit field of view. The introduction of a glass cockpit significantly streamlines and improves the entire pilot-vehicle interface. Mounting the cyclic control to the right side of each pilot’s seat allows for optimal pilot posture during long flights reducing fatigue and providing adding safety over traditional center mounted controls. To begin with, the cockpit is dramatically different – and better – than the -53E. Marine Corps and as a test pilot at Sikorsky, I can say that the CH-53K is undoubtedly my favorite aircraft to fly. ![]() Having spent 25 years flying helicopters in the U.S. Whether carrying dozens of combat hardened Marines, fully armored JLTV vehicles, artillery, and ammunition or providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the CH-53K will provide a critical capability that spans the spectrum of military operations.Īmassing troops quickly or extending the logistics footprint to include forward arming and refueling of ground and aviation assets the King Stallion can do it all. The CH-53K King Stallion was conceived to perform all the legacy assault support missions but over longer distances with much more payload. Marine Corps to develop a replacement for its heavy lift workhorse, the CH-53E Super Stallion. ![]() This increase in demand prompted the U.S. The recent decades have shown a marked increase in the use of heavy lift helicopters due to their range, payload, and performance. It is probably safe to say that Hollywood studios aren’t pinning their next blockbuster hopes on a film about a heavy lift helicopter, but the role that these machines play in the modern battlespace cannot be overstated. John Rucci, Test Pilot, Shares his View on Entering a New Age in Heavy Lift ![]()
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