American heavy helicopters Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion found the first foreign buyer. Yesterday, November 30, the portal flightglobal.com He reported that the Israeli government approved the purchase of new helicopters for the IDF.
The government committee responsible for military procurement approved the purchase of 10 to 15 helicopters. The new vehicles will replace their predecessors in combat service — CH-53D helicopters.
Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion Helicopters
Image source: flightglobal.com
Earlier, the US State Department approved the sale of CH-53K King Stallion helicopters to Israel. The weapons package approved for sale includes 18 helicopters, weapons and protection systems for them, as well as an additional "up to 60 engines" T408-GE-400. The potential value of the transaction was then estimated at $3.4 billion.
The Israeli Defense Ministry announced the selection of the CH-53K King Stallion transport helicopter to replace the CH-53 Yas'ur (CH-53D) in February this year. The newest version of the "Stallion" (English stallion) will replace the aging predecessor of the CH-53 Yas'ur, which entered service in 1970, in the Israeli Armed Forces. Competitors of the CH-53K were Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor and Boeing CH-47 Chinook "flying wagon".
The CH-53K King Stallion is a heavy transport helicopter with a maximum take-off weight of almost 40 tons. The car is capable of carrying over 13 tons of cargo on an external suspension, and its internal compartment can accommodate up to 55 passengers. The crew of the helicopter is from two to five people - in addition to the pilots, three shooters can be included in its composition, providing circular protection.
Externally, the King Stallion differs little from its predecessor CH-53E, but at the same time it is three times "stronger". The CH-53K King Stallion helicopter is a continuation of the CH-53 line, which has been produced since 1964. The new modification is the largest and most powerful in the family of "Stallions". The maximum flight range of the CH-53K is 840 km, the speed is 315 km/h. The helicopter is equipped with active and passive protection systems — in particular, the armored hull protects the crew and passengers from small arms fire, and active protection systems are able to protect the car from damage by missiles.
