Sikorsky Delivers First CH-53K Prototype Heavy Lift Helicopter To Flight Test Team

"This is an important point of transition for the CH-53K program," said Col. Robert Pridgen, program manager for the heavy lift helicopters. "I am encouraged by the initial results of our testing at the component and subsystem level. Now we bring it all together. The GTV is our first dynamic system-level integration of those same components. We are looking forward to the sights and sounds these next heavy lifters will bring to the Marine Corps."

Sikorsky is designing, building and testing the GTV and the four flight aircraft -- designated Engineering Development Models -- as part of a $3.5 billion System Development and Demonstration contract. Two additional ground test articles are undergoing airframe structural testing at Sikorsky's main manufacturing plant in Stratford, Conn., as part of the same contract. The aircraft's major fuselage sections are supplied by Aurora Flight Sciences, ITT Excelis, GKN Aerospace and Spirit Aerosystems.

The prototype assembly line is located at Sikorsky's Florida Assembly and Flight Operations facility in West Palm Beach. Ground and flight testing will occur at the Developmental Flight Center on the same Florida campus.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in aircraft design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

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SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.

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