PAUL LEWIS / STRATFORD
Sikorsky is hoping that an anticipated go-ahead from the US Marine Corps for a CH-53E modernisation programme will open the door to it re-offering the heavylift helicopter in Turkey as well as for emerging Taiwanese requirements. The company is also stressing synergies with the heavy-transport helicopter (HTH) derivative being proposed in Europe (Flight International, 1-7 October, 2002).
Turkey is expected to issue a fresh heavylift helicopter request for proposals by mid-year, for which a modernised CH-53E will again be a competitor against the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and Mil Mi-26. In 2000, the Turkish army selected the CH-53E updated with a glass cockpit, but a planned order for eight machines was scrapped because of economic problems.
CH-53 production ceased in 2001 after the delivery of the final USMC machine, but jigs and tooling have been preserved in the hope of restarting the line. Sikorsky has proposed to the marines a block modernisation of the helicopter (Flight International, 14-20 January).
Sikorsky also views Taiwan as a potential customer. The nation's navy and marines have a joint need for up 12 helicopters for mine countermeasures and troop transport.
Sikorsky's HTH proposal to France and Germany is based on an enlarged fuselage for lifting outsize European equipment, but could use modernised CH-53E dynamic system components. The company says it is hoping for a study contract later this year to further refine the HTH, which could have a2012 initial operational capability, two years after the fully modernised Block 3 CH-53E. The USMC also opened talks this month with the UK over its SABR utility helicopter requirement.
Meanwhile, Israel is looking at options for a further dynamic and structural upgrade of its CH-53A/Cs to extend their service lives to 2020. Under the Yas'ur 2000 upgrade, the helicopters received new avionics and some structural improvements.
Source: Flight International
