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A model of the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopter in German colours at the Berlin Airshow in 2016. The CH-53K will go up against the Boeing CH-47F Block 2 Chinook Extended Range for Germany's upcoming heavy-lift helicopter requirement. Source: IHS Markit/Gareth Jennings
Sikorsky has welcomed the US government's decision to authorise production of its CH-53K King Stallion as a means of turning the narrative upside down that its heavy-lift helicopter is still developmental while its Boeing CH-47F Block 2 Chinook competitor is a fielded and proven offering for Germany.
Speaking to Jane's the day before the Milestone C decision was made on 5 April, Frank Crisafulli, business development lead for heavy-lift helicopters at Sikorsky said that the production decision means it is the CH-53K rather than the CH-47F Block 2 that is the ready and mature solution for Germany's Schweren Transporthubschrauber (STH) replacement programme for the country's ageing CH-53G heavy-lift platforms.
"The Milestone C production decision ... is a big deal as it counters the argument that the CH-53K is immature while the CH-47F Block 2 is mature. It actually turns that argument on its head, as the CH-47F Block 2 is still awaiting its development decision. The CH-53K is the only truly heavy-lift production helicopter that is flying and on the market today," Crisafulli said.
Germany is expected to issue a formal request for proposals (RFP) for an expected 41 helicopters (with options to take the buy-up to 60) in 2018, with the selected platform entering Bundeswehr service in about 2023. The CH-53K and CH-47F Block 2 Extended Range (ER) are the only platforms competing for the EUR4 billion (USD4.3 billion) requirement.
The CH-53K and CH-47F Block 2 are based on legacy platforms that have been in service since 1966 and 1962, respectively. However, while the Boeing product is the latest iteration of a helicopter that has been continually upgraded and modernised throughout the course of its operational life, Sikorsky's is essentially a new aircraft with the latest technology and systems.
"I was in Iraq [as a US Marine Corps CH-53E pilot], and I love the CH-47 - it's a great helicopter," Crisafulli said.
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http://www.janes.com/article/69308/...-means-of-turning-tables-on-boeing-in-germany
