CH-53K First Flight Delayed Again

摘要

Sikorsky Aircraft has pushed back the CH-53K's first flight to finish testing a redesign of the next-generation heavy-lifter's main gearbox. The King Stallion, a replacement for aging U.S. Marine Corps CH-53Es, was scheduled to fly in June. But Navy and Sikorsky officials said in April that a failure required a main gearbox redesign. While that is complete, additional testing is needed. The Navy expects a first flight by the end of the year.