“The aircraft is now fully configured to proceed to the next series of system integration tests that will further validate the aircraft systems, such as rotors, drive, electrical, hydraulic, avionics and flight controls, all leading to operational acceptance testing that will clear the flight aircraft for flight operations. The preliminary results maintain our confidence in meeting first flight of the initial flight test helicopter in late 2014.”

The GTV will play a key role for Sikorsky and the U.S. Marine Corps during hundreds of hours of powered ground tests as the CH-53K team prepares for first flight and the subsequent three-year flight test program. By accumulating operational experience ahead of the four flight test aircraft, currently in final assembly, the GTV can measure and verify the ability of the drive system, transmissions and engines to fly the CH-53K helicopter safely and efficiently across multiple flight scenarios up to its 88,000-pound maximum gross weight with an external load.

During the next 250 hours of operation, the GTV will continue to assess the helicopter’s subsystems and the structural integrity and whirl characteristics of the rotors, blades and drive train.