Sikorsky and Rheinmetall have entered into a strategic teaming agreement for competing in the German Air Force “Schwerer Transporthubschrauber” (STH) Program.
The Sikorsky STH team, with Sikorsky’s breadth and depth of heavy lift experience and Rheinmetall’s leadership as the lead teammate for STH sustainment, the German Air Force will experience the high levels of aircraft availability and reliability that Sikorsky customers have come to expect.
“With Rheinmetall as the strategic partner for Sikorsky, we are convinced that together we provide the best possible state-of-the-art aircraft for the German Air Force as successor for the legacy CH-53G fleet,” said Armin Papperger, Rheinmetall CEO.
“Furthermore, we stand strongly together in offering a cost-effective, reliable solution oriented to the needs of today’s operations, and able to evolve with the Armed Forces as its needs change over time.”
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, and Rheinmetall will look to introduce more German teammates in the weeks to come.
The team will leverage and build upon the deep knowledge and expertise of the German defense industry.
(We know quick care on the ground equals more time in the sky. That’s why the CH-53K aircraft is designed to be intelligent, reliable, low maintenance and survivable in the most austere and remote forward operating bases in the world. Courtesy of Lockheed Martin and YouTube. Posted on Feb 5, 2018)
The CH-53K King Stallion advances Sikorsky’s 50 years of manufacturing and operational success of its CH-53A, CH-53D/G, and CH-53E.
Built to thrive on the 21st-century battlefield, including shipboard operations, the CH-53K aircraft is an all-new aircraft, using modern intelligent design.
The rugged CH-53K is designed to ensure reliability, low maintenance, high availability and enhanced survivability in the most austere and remote forward operating bases.
“Sikorsky has a 45-year history supporting the German Armed Forces fleet of CH-53G aircraft, and we are humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve the German Armed Forces for another 45 years with Sikorsky’s CH-53K,” said Dan Schultz, president of Sikorsky.
“As a former CH-53 pilot, I can attest that this aircraft is truly the most capable heavy lift helicopter we have ever built.”
“Sikorsky’s CH-53K, combined with Rheinmetall as our key German partner, is a winning solution for STH.”
The U.S. Marine Corps will field the CH-53K as a fully-operational aircraft in 2019.
By the time Germany receives its first aircraft, the CH-53K will have been in service with the U.S. Marine Corps for five years.
(See the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter achieve its first flight with an external load at the Lockheed Martin Development Flight Test Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, successfully carrying a 12,000-pound external load. Courtesy of Lockheed Martin and YouTube. Posted on Apr 25, 2016)
The CH-53K provides the German Armed Forces with a proven heavy lift helicopter that can be entered into service seamlessly without need for upgrades for the next several decades.
The CH-53K helicopter is the best choice for completing missions like humanitarian aid, troop transport, casualty evacuation, support of special operations forces, and combat search and rescue.
No matter the mission, the aircraft provides the highest degree of safety for its crew and occupants in all conditions.
With the legacy fleet of the CH-53G, Sikorsky has a long lasting strong relationship with the Bundeswehr, which Sikorsky looks forward to strengthening with the CH-53K.
The CH-53K will enable the German Armed Forces to conduct real heavy lift operations.
Intelligent, reliable, low maintenance and survivable, the CH-53K is the future of German Heavy Lift.
To Learn More about the CH-53K, visit: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/ch-53k-helicopter.html
