AviationNews – The CH-53K King Stallion has achieved a historic milestone by successfully performing an external lift of another CH-53K, proving its unmatched power in heavy-lift recovery. Conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 (HX-21), this evaluation marks a critical step in establishing official Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) procedures for the U.S. Marine Corps’ newest heavy-lift asset.
The test, overseen by the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261), utilized an Engineering Development Model (EDM) as the payload. To simulate a realistic salvage scenario, engineers removed the engines and tail pylon of the “downed” aircraft, bringing its weight to roughly 28,000 lbs. This weight was handled with precision by the active King Stallion, which currently boasts a maximum external lift capacity of 36,000 lbs. The data gathered from this event will be used to finalize the official Aircraft Salvage Operations manual, providing standardized instructions for fleet-wide use.
Technically, the success of the mission hinged on validating dual-point external lift rigging and analyzing complex load dynamics. By mastering these flight characteristics, the Marine Corps ensures it can retrieve disabled multi-million dollar airframes from remote or hostile environments without relying on ground transport. Following its role as the test weight, the EDM airframe will be repurposed at Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302 in North Carolina to serve as a ground trainer for future aircrews and maintainers.
“The continued expansion of the aircraft’s capabilities ensures a faster response to emerging requirements and highlights its ability to perform,” stated Col. Kate Fleeger, Program Manager for PMA-261, regarding the strategic importance of the test.
As the CH-53K fleet continues to expand, this recovery capability will become a standard tool for expeditionary advanced base operations. The ability for one King Stallion to “save” another ensures that the Marine Corps maintains high operational readiness even in the most challenging global theaters.
The King Stallion continues to solidify its reputation as the premier heavy-lifter in the Western world. By successfully completing this salvage evaluation, the program proves that the CH-53K is not just a transport vehicle, but a robust support system capable of sustaining its own fleet in the field.
