February 10, 2014 - Sikorsky Aircraft has
powered up the engines and spun the rotor head
on the first prototype CH-53K heavy lift
helicopter designated the Ground Test Vehicle
(GTV).
The January 24 event continues the “Bare Head
Light Off” phase of testing , so named because
it was conducted without rotor blades that began
under auxiliary power in December with
safety-of-flight test pilots at the aircraft’s
controls.
“GTV main engines powered ‘on’ is a significant
step for the CH-53K helicopter program,” said
Mike Torok, Sikorsky’s CH-53K Program Vice
President. “Having independently tested the
aircraft’s many components and subsystems,
including electrical and avionics, hydraulics
and flight controls, landing gear, propulsion,
transmissions and rotors, now we have begun
testing these critical functions as an entire
system powered by the GTV aircraft’s three GE
7,500 shaft horsepower class engines.”
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