Lockheed Martin’s $29 Billion Helicopter Program Likely To Get Pentagon’s Approval

[Zarvan]

Lockheed Martin’s $29 Billion Helicopter Program Likely To Get Pentagon’s Approval

Lockheed Martin Corp is expected to receive approval from the US department of Defense Thursday to commence production of 200 new heavy cargo helicopters for the US Marines in a program worth $29 billion.

The long-expected award for the CH-53K King Stallion will cost $87 million on average each and $105 million including spare parts and certain service contracts,@ said Colonel Hank Vanderborght, who heads the program for the Pentagon.

The $27 billion program also includes more than $6 billion in research and development costs, Reuters reported Tuesday.

The new helicopter, in development by Lockheed's Sikorsky helicopter business, can lift 36,000 pounds and would replace the CH-53E Super Stallion, which has operated as the backbone of field logistics for the US Marines since the mid-1980s.

The Pentagon's Defense Acquisition Board will meet on Thursday and it is expected to approve the beginning of production of the new helicopter, Vanderborght said.

Final terms of the production deal still are being finalized, a Defense Department official said.

http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18...ely_To_Get_Pentagon___s_Approval#.WNuqYDt95PY

 

[Penguin]

Pentagon gives the green light to Lockheed Martin for 200 helicopters that cost as much as F-35s
Business Insider UK4 April 2017
via US Navy

April 4 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp received Pentagon approval on Tuesday to begin production of CH-53K King Stallion helicopter for the U.S. marines, the Department of Defense said on Tuesday.

The award includes 200 helicopters, each costing $87 million on average and $105 million including spare parts and certain service contracts, a Defense Department official had told Reuters last week.

The $27 billion program also includes more than $6 billion in research and development costs.

The new helicopter, developed by Lockheed's Sikorsky helicopter business, can lift 36,000 pounds and would replace the CH-53E Super Stallion, which has operated as the backbone of field logistics for the U.S. Marines since the mid-1980s.

(Reporting by Komal Khettry in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/pentagon-gives-green-light-lockheed-211700706.html

 

[Fledgingwings]

What kind of Helicopter??? They already made Commanche a stealth handy version.what now?

 

[truthseeker2010]

thats absurdly expensive, $100m for a helo, yes its big, but f-35 also costs around same amount........

 

[Blue Marlin]

What kind of Helicopter??? They already made Commanche a stealth handy version.what now?

if you read the article it clearly states its a ch-53k

note this is a big chopper with a payload of over 15 tonnes, its bigger than the chinook

 

[LeGenD]

thats absurdly expensive, $100m for a helo, yes its big, but f-35 also costs around same amount........

Depends upon what kind of machine it is.

This is a monster by helicopter standards.

 

[Khafee]

if you read the article it clearly states its a ch-53k

note this is a big chopper with a payload of over 15 tonnes, its bigger than the chinook

The CH-53K can carry a 12.200 kg/27,000 lb external load over 204 km /110 nautical miles in high/hot conditions (33°C/91.5°F at an altitude of 914m/3,000 feet)

http://lockheedmartin.com/us/products/ch-53k-helicopter.html

 

[Blue Marlin]

The CH-53K can carry a 12.200 kg/27,000 lb external load over 204 km /110 nautical miles in high/hot conditions (33°C/91.5°F at an altitude of 914m/3,000 feet)

http://lockheedmartin.com/us/products/ch-53k-helicopter.html

yes and...........

 

[Fledgingwings]

Thanks Martin ! btw its a bit expensive for a helicopter

 

[Khafee]

yes and...........

You incorrectly quoted max payload as 15MT+ for the CH-53K

Lockheed says otherwise, as mentioned above.

 

[jhungary]

You incorrectly quoted max payload as 15MT+ for the CH-53K

Lockheed says otherwise, as mentioned above.

LM CH-53K Sell sheet claim the Chopper can lift 16330kgs (16.3 tons) cargo externally while the information sheet said 12,200 kgs (Actually, it said 12.200 not 12,200) ......

The CH-53K is capable of lifting 16,330 kg /36,000 lbs externally and has a cabin that is a 30 cm/12 in wider at the floor than its closest competitor, making it ideal for carrying more with fewer trips, and fewer aircraft. Its cabin size allows faster, more flexible loading /unloading and does not require reconfiguration when transitioning from troop transport to internal supply transport. In addition, the CH-53K is at the beginning of its design life, with room to grow when the customer requires more lift capability.

http://lockheedmartin.com/content/d...ky/C-53K/Sikorsky-CH53K-SellSheet-English.pdf

If I have to venture a guess, I guess either LM made a typo (It actually said 12.2 kgs instead of 12,200 kgs) or it meant to say they can lift 12,200 kg in heat/hot condition and 16,330 Kgs otherwise.

 

[Khafee]

LM CH-53K Sell sheet claim the Chopper can lift 16330kgs (16.3 tons) cargo externally while the information sheet said 12,200 kgs (Actually, it said 12.200 not 12,200) ......



http://lockheedmartin.com/content/d...ky/C-53K/Sikorsky-CH53K-SellSheet-English.pdf

If I have to venture a guess, I guess either LM made a typo (It actually said 12.2 kgs instead of 12,200 kgs) or it meant to say they can lift 12,200 kg in heat/hot condition and 16,330 Kgs otherwise.

I think the discrepancy in the two documents points towards what you said. Hot/High and normal conditions - diff max loads.

 

[Blue Marlin]

I think the discrepancy in the two documents points towards what you said. Hot/High and normal conditions - diff max loads.

@jhungary answered your question, note i said over 15 tonnes. 16.3 tonnes is more specific.
wont be surprised if you can take it to 20 tonnes if the conditions are right and worth knackering the chopper.

 

[Glass]

i love this chopper

 

[Oldman1]

thats absurdly expensive, $100m for a helo, yes its big, but f-35 also costs around same amount........

Current Ch-53s cost 90 million or so. F-35 is getting cheaper to 80 million.