The Sikorsky CH-53E programme has been given a renewed lease life, thanks to a Turkish army deal for eight new- build helicopters to be equipped with a modern glass cockpit.
Turkey's $360 million order will restart the CH-53 production line at Sikorsky's Stratford plant, dormant since the final US Marine Corps helicopter was delivered last October. Turkey has a requirement for up to 20 heavylift helicopters.
Sikorsky confirms that the new helicopters, which will carry the S-80E commercial designation, will be fitted with a Rockwell Collins military avionics suite drawing on elements of its ProLine 21 system. The suite will include four liquid crystal displays, dual FMS-800/CDU-900 flight management system and embedded global positioning system and data loader (Flight International, 1-7 February).
A similar avionics suite has been ordered for the Turkish army's 50 S-70A Black Hawk utility/search-and-rescue machines and the navy's eight S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters under a contract signed last September.
Elements of the system are being produced under licence locally by Aselsan.
Source: Flight International
