25 January 2023 , 22:43
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The US has shown off the most powerful-ever helicopter developed for its military.
The Sikorsky CH-53K, known as the 'King Stallion' will be used to move troops and equipment over long distances and tough terrain more quickly and effectively than similar aircraft.
It can lift huge amounts at once with weights equivalent to eight cars or 28 grand pianos.
Images from recent tests to determine how the choppers' life capabilities were shown, revealing the hugely expensive military hardware developed by Sikorsky Aircraft.
The impressive piece of kit was developed to replace the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) current cohort of CH-53E's.
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The USMC plans to receive 200 helicopters to the tune of a whopping $25billion (£20.7billion).
Tests of the King Stallion have now been performed over 1,200 hours and have taken several years to complete.
Tests have now been performed over 1,200 hour (Cpl M. Hylton/US Marines/SWNS)Sikorsky, owned by Lockheed Martin, has claimed the chopper is the "technologically advanced helicopter in the world" ad has 57% more horsepower than its predecessor and 63% fewer parts.
During tests, the helicopter was seen lifting a non-flyable F-35C Lightning II.
Bill Falk, director of the Sikorsky CH-53K program, said: "Ramping up production of the most technologically advanced helicopter in the world allows the US Marine Corps to build out its CH-53K King Stallion fleet and support mission success."
Testing included an 'external load certification' lift of an inoperable F-35 Lightning II (Kyra Helwick/US Navy/SWNS)The CH-53K is designed to be able to to lift nearly 14 tons over a mission radius of 110 nautical miles (203 km)in a range of environments.
This will help the "USMC and international militaries to move troops and equipment from ship to shore, and to higher altitude terrain, more quickly and effectively than ever before," according to the Aviaion Geek Club.
The chopper has taken years to develop (Kyra Helwick/US Navy/SWNS)The initial operational capability was given in April last year.
By comparison, the CH-53K is capable of lifting almost triple the baseline CH-53E lift capability.
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) explain: "The most powerful helicopter in the Department of Defense, the CH-53K is a new-build helicopter that will expand the fleet’s ability to move more material, more rapidly throughout the area of responsibility using proven and mature technologies.
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The USMC has ordered 200 (Cpl M. Hylton/US Marines/SWNS)"The CH-53K will continue to fill the CH-53E Super Stallion mission as a pillar of logistics and assault support for the U.S. Marine Corps efforts, but with significant improvements such as state-of-the-art, fly-by-wire technology reducing pilot workload, contributing to aircraft stability, and improving overall safety.
In December 2022, the US Navy approved full-rate production for the helicopter
"The recent full-rate production decision for the CH-53K is validation of the aircraft’s value to the U.S. Marine Corps and last month’s test lift is one more demonstration of its performance and reliability."