Aerospace

U.S. Navy Expands CH-53K Training With Additional Simulators

Additional training chances will be provided to the US Marines so they can fly the Sikorsky CH-53K heavy lift helicopter. The helicopter is the most advanced and potent one in the Department of Defense’s inventory, and it can transport personnel and equipment from ships to shore and to higher altitudes more rapidly and efficiently than any other.

According to the conditions of a recent contract award, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) will give the U.S. Navy another Containerized Flight Training Device (CFTD), with options for three more. The first training tool was successfully delivered to Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in 2020.

Flight crews will train on the full scope of Marine Corps heavy lift missions, including external lift operations, using the full-mission flight simulator that also replicates the various environmental conditions in which the aircraft is likely to fly. Through this new effort, Lockheed Martin is helping the Marine Corps expand proven and critical CH-53K Flight Training with training capability to more Marines.

The training devices include a full cockpit for the aircraft operated by a pilot and co-pilot, an instructor operating station as well as a brief/debrief room. The newest training devices will include upgrades that improve system performance, increase cost savings, and more closely align to the CH-53K aircraft for increased training realism.

CH-53K Flight Crews Complete Milestones

The CH-53K CFTD provided the capability to train mission scenarios which were then completed during Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E). They include:

Day and night air-to-air refueling
Air-to-air refueling with 27,000 lb. external load
Sea trials with over 350 landings
Operation in Degraded Visual Environments

Related Topics:Boeing CH-53K chinook sikorsky US Marines

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.