Sikorsky has revealed long-term plans to offer the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter to other US military services, including the Air Force.
The CH-53K is currently in development to replace the US Marine Corps' CH-53D/E fleet with an even larger helicopter, powered by three 7,500shp (5,516kW) General Electric GE38 engines.
The aircraft has long been considered an alternative to a possible future growth version of the US Army's Boeing CH-47F/G Chinook.
Sikorsky also envisions a long-term requirement for the CH-53K by the Air Force Special Operations Command.
Discussions have not yet taken place formally, but the topic has at least been broached, Tim Healy, Sikorsky's director of Air Force programmes said. "I'm sure it's been talked about at bars," he added.
Healy identified airlift and special operations roles as possible missions for an air force variant of the CH-53K.
Sikorsky is designing the helicopter to carry up to 15,900kg (35,000lb). That figure compares well to the maximum normal payload of a Lockheed Martin C-130J, according to a USAF fact sheet.
"The air force has an airlift and [special operations] mission that we don't know where they will be 20 years from now," Healy added. "If the air force is interested in lift more than speed, this would be attractive."
The CH-53K could also be offered to meet the army's requirement for a joint multi-role heavy helicopter, which is intended to start replacing the CH-47 early in the next decade, Healy said.
Source: Flight International
