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April 13, 2020
F-15QA Aircraft Completes Its First Flight
April 15, 2020“Stallion” Refuelling Tests
The latest member of the CH-53 Stallion family, the most powerful and heaviest military helicopter in the Western world, continues testing.
The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced that CH-53K King Stallion helicopter made aerial refuelling tests with the KC-130J Super Hercules. The flight characteristics of the helicopter were examined in a heavy turbulent environment in the activity, which lasted 4.5 hours. The helicopter, which entered the turbulence area of the aircraft by flying very closely, made successful contact with the refuelling basket and continued its flight smoothly during the process.
United States Marine Corps (USMC) planned to procurement of 200 helicopters under the CH-53K King Stallion program, which was delayed due to the respiration of exhaust gas and the problems experienced in the gearbox. However, the USMC announced that it reduced the number of purchases by one third for economic reasons.
CH-53K King Stallion helicopters have 16,300 kg external payload capacity. Platforms capable of refueling in the air have 203 km combat radius without refuelling with 12,247 kg payload.
