The US Marine Corps on Monday declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter (known in the IDF as the "Super Yasur"), marking a critical milestone before the aircraft is categorized as fully capable of meeting the Marines Corps' operational demands.
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Manufactured by Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin the CH-53K will enable the US Marine Corps and international militaries, including the IDF, to move troops and equipment from ship to shore, and to higher altitude terrain, more quickly and effectively than ever before.
Four King Stallions have thus far been approved for manufacture and delivery to Israel, which has ordered 18 of the helicopters at a reported cost of $3.4 billion. After arriving in Israel, the Israeli Air Force will test and fit the CH-53K to meet its own operational specifications – a process that normally last several months.
Last February, Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced the decision to choose the King Stallion over Boeing's CH-47F Chinook.
The announcement of the CH-53K's Initial Operational Capability came earlier than expected, meaning the aircraft can begin full-rate production in 2023.
The Super Yasur is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter that is able to fly 20 knots (23 mph) faster than its CH-53E predecessor. It can carry a payload of 27,000 pounds (12,200 kilograms) over the same radius of 110 nautical miles (204 km). It also features new composite rotor blades and a wider aircraft cabin than previous CH-53 variants. It stands to be the largest and heaviest helicopter used by the US military, which has contracted 200 helicopters at a total cost of $25 billion. Its estimated life span can reach 50 years.
In July of last year, Israel Hayom was granted an exclusive look at the new-generation helicopter.
"The CH-53K is a helicopter that flies at very fast speeds, with a lift capacity that is double that of the old Yasur [the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion]. It carries sophisticated autonomous systems and can fly great distances and penetrate [enemy territory] and land without being identified," Brig. Gen. (res.) Joshua Shani, CEO of Lockheed Martin Israel, told Israel Hayom at the time.
The outmoded Yasur fleet first arrived in Israel in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The IAF has repeatedly managed to extend its service life but has warned along the way that the fleet was aging and that decision-makers needed to hasten their selection of a new model.
"This declaration is a vote of confidence from Marine Corps leadership and demonstrates the critical role of the CH-53K, giving forces more range and agility to conduct expeditionary heavy-lift assault transport of armored vehicles, equipment, and personnel," said Sikorsky President Paul Lemmo. "This capability is critical in the Indo-Pacific region and around the globe in support of the joint force and allies. Sikorsky and our nationwide CH-53K supply chain, including dozens of small businesses, are committed to delivering aircraft that can adapt to future missions and are reliable, sustainable and relevant for decades to come."
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