An other potential candidate to replace the Israeli air force’s aged CH-53s by around 2025 include Sikorsky’s new CH-53K
Flight Global reports that Israel has put a stop to its evaluation of the V-22 tiltrotor.
An anonymous source said the Israeli Air Force (IAF) found that the Osprey is unable to replicate some of the tasks currently carried out by the CH-53.
In January 2014, the US Department of Defense notified Congress about its intention to sell six V-22s to Israel. This followed an evaluation conducted by air force personnel, which led to the service seeking a rapid acquisition to support special operations. The proposed purchase met with opposition from elsewhere within Israel’s defence ministry, however.
An other potential candidate to replace the Israeli air force’s aged CH-53s by around 2025 include Sikorsky’s new CH-53K.
Some of the service’s current CH-53s have amassed more than 10,000 flying hours, and it expects to continue operating updated examples until 2028.
The V-22 is a joint service, multi-mission aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. It performs VTOL missions as effectively as a conventional helicopter while also having the long-range cruise abilities of a twin turboprop aircraft. The U.S Marine Corps (USMC) is the lead service in the development of the Osprey. The USMC version, the MV-22A, is an assault transport for troops, equipment and supplies, and is capable of operating from ships or from expeditionary airfields ashore.
The CH-53K King Stallion helicopter on the other hand provides three times the heavy-lift capability of its predecessor, the CH-53E. This increased payload capability can take the form of a variety of relevant payloads ranging from an internally loaded High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or the European Fennek armored personnel carrier, and up to three independent external loads at once, which gives incredible mission flexibility and system efficiency.
Photo credit: Israeli Air Force
