Andrzej Jeziorski/MUNICH
THE GERMAN defence ministry has revealed plans to upgrade its army Sikorsky CH-53G heavy-transport helicopters to extend the aircraft's life until 2030.
The ministry says that it has no plans to replace its 107 CH-53Gs, but that they will be upgraded to extend their range and introduce a nighttime low-flying capability.
The work will include fitting an engine air-particle separator; external tanks and pylons; a global-positioning system and APN-128 Doppler navigation system; medical equipment with an independent power supply; image-intensifier-compatible cockpit lighting and a moving-map display. Work on the upgrade programme is to start in 1997 and is scheduled for completion by 2004
The army, meanwhile, expects to complete its Bell UH-1D Iroquois utility-helicopter upgrade programme by the end of 1995.
The aging fleet of UH-1Ds is to be replaced by the TTH90 tactical-transport version of the multi-national NH Industries NH90 helicopter, beginning in 2003. The army will be the first to begin replacing its fleet of 187 Iroquois, while the air force is to replace the first of its 107 helicopters with the TTH90 in 2005.
The ministry expects that it will retire the last of the UH-1Ds between 2008 and 2010, and is pursuing a DM327 million ($228 million) life-extension programme on the helicopters, to be completed by the end of this year.
The UH-1D upgrade programme includes, structural reinforcements, an electrical overhau, including cable replacement, the replacement of elements of the flight controls and the fitting of new, composite, rotor blades. The rotor blades alone, account for DM73 million of the programme.
The ministry says that it remains committed to the NH90 programme, and expects no further delays in procurement. The army is to receive a total of 120 NH90s, the air force 114 and the navy 38. All are subject to parliamentary approval once the helicopter-development programme is completed.
Source: Flight International
