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The Sikorsky CH-53G Mittlerer Transporthubschrauber (MTH - Medium transportation helicopter) is a twin-engined,
heavy-lift transport helicopter. The CH-53G (G=Germany) was a derivate of the CH-53D Sea Stallion series, built
under license by VFW-Fokker in Speyer, Germany, in a Co-Production Program for the German Army (Heeresflieger).
Development of the CH-53 helicopter started as the Sikorsky Model S-65. On 7 March 1962, the Bureau of Naval
Weapons (BuWeps) issued a Request for Proposals for a ship based helicopter able to lift an 8,000 pounds (3630 kg)
payload over a radius of 100 nm (185 km) at a speed of 150 knots (278 km/h). Its mission was ship-to-shore transport,
downed aircraft recovery, personnel transport, and Medical Evacuation. Sikorsky proposed the S-65, a new heavy lift
helicopter utilizing the main rotor, tail rotor and transmission system of the Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane and the basic
shape of the S-61R, which was developed in the same period. The S-65 was selected by the United States Marine Corps
(USMC) under the designation CH-53A as its heavy assault helicopter and on 24 September 1962, Sikorsky was awarded
a contract to design and develop a mock up, a static test airframe and two YCH-53A prototype helicopters. Fir
purchase of the CH-53 was approved in June 1968 but due to budget constraints only 110 were ordered. Following
the delivery in 1969 of two pre-production helicopters from Sikorsk, the production aircraft were licence built
by VFW-Fokker at Speyer in Germany. The first German-built CH-53G Mittlerer Transporthubschrauber helicopter
flew from Speyer on 11 October 1971 and was delivered to the Erprobungsstelle der Bundeswehr 61 flight test center
at Manching on 1 December 1971. The CH-53G, with the internal Sikorsky designation S-65C-1, was powered by two
3.435 shp General Electric GE-T64-7 turboshaft engines. The aircraft had crew of four (2 pilots + 2 board mechanics)
which crew is supplemented if necessary by 1 observer as well as 2 door gun operators. In the 9.15 mtr long; 2.25 mtr
wide and 1.98 mtr high cabin, up to 36 soldiers or 5.5 tons of cargo, such as two Wiesel type air landing tanks, could
be transported. As an external load, the transport helicopter could take more than seven tons on a load hook. The
operating radius of the CH-53G was 175 km. In order to meet ever more demanding specifications, over time the CH-53G
received modifications, from 1990 designed to improve its service life and operational capabilities. These involved
three major upgrades: new missile warning and self-protection systems; provision for two external fuel tanks allowing
range to be increased to 1800 km when carrying 36 armed soldiers or a 5.500 kg payload; and addition of a night vision
goggles-compatible cockpit for night low-level flying capabilities. All operational CH-53Gs were upgraded by Eurocopter
Germany by early 2001, resulting in updated GS/GE/GA variants. As a result of foreign military operations 20 CH-53G
helicopters were converted to perform Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions. Version CH-53GS is equipped with
modernized IFR equipment, additional exterior fuel tanks, low-flight night vision cockpit and NVG, partial ballistic
protection, engine dust collectors, missile counter measure and self-defence armament. Additionally the original
engines were replaced by the more powerful T64-100 engines. Since 2007 Eurocopter was under contract to retrofit
a total of 40 helicopters to a CH-53GA version. This upgrade includes the repair and overhaul of the airframe to
extend helicopters’ design life to 10,000 flight hours, replacement of the entire electrical system and implementation
of a new mission and avionic system. The automatic flight control system of the CH-53GA as part of this modernisation
campaign. By 2012/2013, the fleet of 82 helicopters had undergone a comprehensive upgrade program for extension of
the life time. Due to these retrofit program the CH-53GA/GE/GS helicopters shall be in service until 2030 and fulfil
the national as well as current and future NATO requirements. |
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In 1968, the Federal German government ordered 110 Sikorsky CH-53G Mittlerer Transporthubschrauber as replacement
for the Vertol H-21C "Flying Banana" and Sikorsky H-34G helicopters in service with the West German Army Aviation
(Bundeswehr / Heeresflieger). The first flight by a German CH-53G was made on 11 October 1971, followed in March
1973 by the delivery of the first machines to Heeresfliegerregiment (HFlgRgt, Army Aviation Corps Regiment) 35 in
Mendig, and shortly afterwards to the newly formed HFlgRgt 15 based at Rheine-Bentlage and HFlgRgt 25 based at
Laupheim. In September 1973, the VFW-Fokker built Sikorsky CH-53G s/n V65-042 was delivered as 84+44 to Heeresflieger
Mittlere Transporthubschrauberregiment 25 „Oberschwaben“ at Heeresflugplatz Laupheim. Following the German reunification
on 3 October 1990, the Federal West German Army was partially integrated into the Federal German Army; Sikorsky CH-53G
84+44 remained in service with HFlgRgt 25 at Fliegerhorst Laupheim. Early 2013, Sikorsky CH-53G 84+44 was converted to
the CH-53GE model. On 1 January 2013, all German Army Aviation (Bundeswehr / Heeresflieger) CH-53Gs were transferred
to the German Air Force and incorporated into Helicopter Wing 64 at Laupheim. On 13 June 2019, Sikorsky CH-53GE 84+44
operated by the GermanAF HTG64 (Hubschraubertransportgeschwader 64) was seen at Fliegerhorst Fassberg. |
