Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter takes first flight

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Sikorsky Aircraft announced the successful first flight of the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter on Tuesday.

Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, was contracted to develop the King Stallion heavy-lift cargo helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps. The first flight had a duration of 30 minutes, marking the beginning of the 2,000-hour flight test program. Four aircraft will be used during the testing phase. Mike Torok, Sikorsky's CH-53K Program Vice President, called the first flight a "major milestone" for the program.

"Having independently tested the aircraft's many components and subsystems, including integrated system level testing on the Ground Test Vehicle, we are now moving on to begin full aircraft system qualification via the flight test program," Torok said in a statement.

The King Stallion is designed with similar dimensions as its predecessor, the GH-53E Super Stallion. New features include a modern glass cockpit, updated rotor blades, fly-by-wire flight controls, modern engines and other enhancements.

The Department of Defense estimates the craft will achieve operational status beginning in 2019, with more specific procurement details to be determined closer to that date.