The US Navy has awarded US subsidiary of Germany’s Renk Group, Renk Systems Corp, a contract for the development, manufacture and installation of three test rigs for transmissions of the CH-53K heavylift transport helicopter, Renk announced on 1 December 2023.
According to a statement from the US Department of Defense, the delivery of one test stand each for the main gearbox and the intermediate gearboxes in the tail and nose of the helicopter has been agreed. Following the installation of the test rigs, the contract also covers calibration of the stands and accompanying logistics, maintenance and operational support as well as spare parts. The scope of supply also includes technical manuals and operating instructions as well as associated data sets for the operation of the test stands with the CH-53K units. The order is valued at USD 49 M (EUR 45 M).
The test rigs will be developed and manufactured in Germany by Renk Test System GmbH in accordance with US requirements. Renk is utilising its experience from the operation of transmission test systems used in its own production process. The work is scheduled for completion in November 2025.
The US Navy has more than 40 CH-53KS either delivered or on contract for the US Marine Corps (USMC), which has a procurement objective of 200 CH-53Ks, while Israel, which has ordered 18, is the only foreign customer to have purchased the type so far. In December 2022 the US Navy approved series production of the type, which increases the production rate to 20 aircraft per year.
In Germany the CH-53K was unable to prevail in the competition for the Bundeswehr’s heavy transport helicopter requirement, in which the Boeing CH-47F Chinook emerged victorious in June 2022.
