GKN Aerospace has announced the delivery of the first major structural assembly for the Sikorsky CH-53K heavy lift helicopter.
The six metre long aft transition fuselage section features an advanced hybrid composite, aluminium and titanium structure covered with external composite skins, and has been built under a multi-year System Design & Development (SDD) contract in which GKN Aerospace was awarded design authority and manufacturing responsibility for the aft transition fuselage section, cargo ramp, and overhead door structural assemblies.
The CH-53K is an advanced and scaled up development of the successful CH-53 series and will replace the CH-53D and E is US Navy and Marine Corps service from 2018.
