NAVAIR just received an offer from Sikorsky that it better not refuse...via Flight Global...
The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is evaluating a proposal from Sikorsky to build four production-representative CH-53K Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopters, says the US Marine Corps' programme manager.A few points...
"We're looking at the proposal now," says Col Robert Pridgen.
NAVAIR received the proposal at the beginning of March, he says. A contract award is expected some time after this has been evaluated, although Pridgen says: "I don't want to nail down a date."
The four pre-production aircraft will be "fleet-representative" and be used for operational evaluations, as well to finish developmental testing.
The CH-53K is now scheduled to become operational in 2019 - one year later than previously slated - and the Marines hope to buy about 200 of the three-engined type.
When the programme first started, the service only wanted to buy 156 aircraft, Pridgen says. Initial operational capability was then set for late 2015, but the USMC upped the order and stretched the programme out by three years in August 2007. Production numbers were to have reached as many as 227, before they were trimmed back to 200.
*The Marine Corps delayed this program in order to get its full compliment of MV-22's. I have no issue with that airframe except one. Its more tailored to what Special Ops needs and not the Marine Corps...except during the assault phase of a forcible entry or raid. The CH-53K would fill that niche nicely. We don't need more MV-22's...unless all we want to be is the ride to SOCOM and MY Marine Corps is better than that Maybe not the Marine Corps that AMOS wants but my Marine Corps is more capable than just being perimeter guards and a taxi service to SOCOM.
*This offer is the cat's meow. Four production representative airframes? Isn't this the kind of thing the Pentagon's been pushing industry to do????
*Only the AAV upgrade and the MPC program are more important to the future of the Marine Corps than the CH-53K. Not the F-35, not the JLTV and not any of the goof ball initiatives coming from HQMC.
Let's get this done.
Today!
Hello Solomon,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you.
The CH53K's ability to lift vehicles gives protected ground mobility to the air assault troops.
They won't just be close terrain foot sloggers anymore,air mobile marines are going to be a much more powerful weapon in future.
I can imagine a Marine Corps without Hueys,Cobras or Ospreys but not without the big CH53s.
There is no other aircraft that is as central to the amphibious role.
GrandLogistics.
Roger above!
ReplyDelete