PAUL LEWIS /WASHINGTON DC
Doubts surrounding sustainability of ageing fleet and experience with other rotorcraft leads to review of programme
The US Marine Corps is examining alternatives to the planned Sikorsky CH-53E service life-extension programme (SLEP), including a new-build version of the heavylift helicopter. This follows questions about the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the rapidly ageing fleet, with the poor budget and schedule performance of other helicopter remanufacturing programmes a consideration.
A planned 12-month analysis of alternatives (AOA) will examine options including the cost of remanufacturing the USMC's CH-53Es, adopting a block upgrade SLEP approach or building new machines. The results will shape a decision on which course to take from 2004, says Maj John Celigoy, USMC assault and executive helicopter co-ordinator.
The USMC has 152 operational CH-53Es, but attrition and age is eroding the fleet. With the CH-53E SLEP not due to reach initial operational capability (IOC) before 2012, it is unlikely the USMC will be able to sustain the minimum 134 helicopters required.
Recent experience with the Sikorsky MH-60R and Bell AH-1Z/UH-1Y has made senior Department of Defense officials wary of committing to another manufacturing programme.
Building new CH-53s offers the advantage of reaching IOC two years earlier without having to remove helicopters for upgrading.
Celigoy says new machines are projected to cost $35.7 million each, compared to $26.8 million for an upgrade with the same improvements. Research, development, testing and evaluation, and other non-recurring costs, are about the same for a new-build or SLEP programme, at $784 million and $527 million, respectively.
A planned lower-cost elastomeric rotor head and composite main rotor blade will not be ready by 2010 and would have to fitted later. The new helicopter, however, would feature a new glass cockpit, in common with either the H-1 or Lockheed Martin C-130J, and a new powerplant.
The USMC expects to decide between an improved General Electric T64-419, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150 or Rolls-Royce AE1107.
A block upgrade of CH-53s is another option. The AOA will look at other types of helicopters as well.
Source: Flight International
