MH-60R Sleds

[gregsivers]

Speaking of heavy lift helos, I was surprised to hear an MH-53E flying into Mayport this morning. Made my otherwise boring preflight more interesting to see that behemoth flare and taxi over to the transient line. I could even hear it over at the gas station on the other side of the base.

 

[Gatordev]

I could even hear it over at the gas station on the other side of the base.

You mean the Grapes couldn't be bothered to come fuel it? They made the -53 go over to the minimart for gas? Talk about lazy.

 

[MasterBates]

Grapes? We have civvie contractors who make our PC's run 1/4 mile to the pits, and then run back to the line. Wouldn't want to touch a helo, ya know.

 

[Gatordev]

Yeah, I was just making a funny. Although I did have an ABH recover me in the T-34 and get me fuel at the T-line. Not so much in the -60.

 

[Flash]

Chunks, I think you were flying it... H60S. Nothing identified in the pipeline to replace the Navy 53s.

Maybe this?

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/ch-53x.htm

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/hlr.htm

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/images/ch-53x-hlr.jpg

Wow, looks just like a CH-53E......just bigger......bigger is better, right?.....

 

[phrogdriver]

Maybe this?



Wow, looks just like a CH-53E......just bigger......bigger is better, right?.....

The HLR/ CH-53K is a Marine program. I haven't seen any sign of the Navy getting on board.

 

[BigIron]

I think some funding was identified for Sikorsky to look at a possible AMCM mission / Navy heavy lift mission for this new helo. It has been high on the MH-53E OAG (operational advisory group) "top ten" for the last 2 years. I don't recall on where (or if) it broke out on the All Helo top ten requirements list.

With program costs totalling over $20k per flight hour (MH-53) the bean counters seem to want to divest and look at other programs/platforms that could possibly do the mission (to some standard...maybe the good enough standard).

Who knows, though. The current airframes are being extended and there is a move afoot to get glass cockpits. Someone is looking out for Navy heavy lift.

We'll enjoy the airframe while we have it.