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Home | Update | LATEST ISSUE | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 1/98 GERMAN ARMY UPGRADES ITS CH-53GS by Karl Schwarz The Sikorsky CH-53G has been the backbone of the German army's transport helicopter fleet for 25 years. It will continue to be that way for the coming decades since there is no replacement under development anywhere in the world. So, it is time for a thorough update to keep the aircraft fit for the army's new tasks, for example in the frame of the crisis reaction forces. Studies covering measures to maintain the material, to improve the guidance and air mobility, as well as, the upgrade with a night low-level capability, have been going on since the beginning of the nineties. Following various development works, modifications and test flight programs, the contracts for the production modifications have now been signed. Approximately DM180 million are available, which, however, doesn't satisfy all the wishes of the army aviation. At least, the entire fleet of 110 aircraft (112 were procured) will benefit from the life-extension program, requiring mainly structural reinforcements and improvements of the fuselage. Based on the operational experience with the fleet, the critical points were precisely defined, integrating preventative measures in the works also. Every individual helicopter will require approximately 1000 work hours. Each helicopter will stay for two months at the plant in Donauwörth. As much as possible, routine inspections will be combined with the modifications. According to the current schedule, 18 CH-53Gs per year will cycle through the hangars in Donauwörth until 2003. This program will cost approximately DM50 million (DM450000 per aircraft). Much more expensive will be the modifications for the UN and crisis reaction forces missions. But, they will also require ten-fold the amount of work hours (approximately 10000 per aircraft). DM130 million are available for this program (plus 37 million of government furnished equipment). As of now, only 20 helicopters, not even a whole regiment, will be brought up to this standard. The changes will concern the following areas: Additional fuel tanks, mounted on outriggers. The tanks, mountings, as well as, parts such as tubes and pumps will be supplied in a kit from Sikorsky and assembled in Donauwörth. The additional 4920 liters of fuel will increase the range to more than 1800 kilometers, increasing the flight time by five hours. The handling characteristics of the helicopter will supposedly not change much. Emergency power supply for ground radio operations. Up to now, the APU had to be running. Now, two batteries are being installed underneath the access step to the cockpit. Night vision goggles compatible cockpit for night missions. This required the exchange of the entire cockpit lighting and to put in additional lights. Also, the external lighting was to be adapted. The Army Weapons School, with extensive tests, accomplished valuable preliminary work. Originally, the modifications were to allow night low-level operations. But, the systems proved not to be mature enough for this mission profile and, for now, will stay out. New concepts are to be worked out until the spring of next year. An electronic warfare system for self-defence. In this aspect of the modernization program, the German forces relied on the experiences of the Israelian forces which also operate the CH-53. Not less than nine radar and six laser warning receivers from Elisra will be integrated, along with four missile approach warners from Loral. They are located at specific locations on the fuselage, allowing the coverage of the entire surrounding. A central computer processes all the data and presents the threats (type and bearing) on two displays to the pilots. Chaff and flares are released automatically if needed. Cartridges from Rokar are installed in the sides of the fuselage and in the landing gear fairings. Three CH-53Gs, earmarked for missions in Bosnia, are already being upgraded with the electronic warfare systems in a quick turnover. They will later get the full package of modifications. According to Eurocopter, the program is generating continuos work for 75 to 100 employees in Donauwörth. Due to this, company sources say that the series production of the Tiger and the NH90 can now spin-up from a solid work force basis. Still, there is one problem: If the civil production continues to boom, the room in the hangars will be tight. From page 54 of FLUG REVUE 1/98 Home | Update | LATEST ISSUE | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 1/98 Copyright 1997/98 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated December 5, 1997 FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany