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CH-53s to get new engines, defenses

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Corps is breathing new life into its fleet of heavy-lift helicopters, adding more powerful engines and a new defensive system.

Test pilots at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., are working with the newly refurbished engines, likely to be installed into stateside CH-53D Sea Stallions and CH-53E Super Stallions later this year. It is still unclear when deployed helicopters will be worked into the upgrade rotation.

The refurbished engines will provide Marine heavy-lift squadrons with the power to haul more equipment and personnel for longer distances, said Maj. Jack Perrin, H-53 platform coordinator for Helicopter Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 at the air station. The engine upgrades also will provide pilots more power to operate in hot temperatures and fly at higher altitudes.

“It’s really going to help the community execute its mission in a war environment,” Perrin said.

The Corps hopes the revamped engines will allow the aircraft to act as a bridge until the CH-53K model comes online in 2015. The K variant will provide increased lift capacity, as well as a larger cabin.

While maintenance officials install the upgrades and ensure the integrity of the new components, the Corps is working alongside contractor L-3 Communications to install a new defensive platform on the helicopters.

The new Directed Infrared Countermeasures device, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, will complement traditional defensive flares already in place on the CH-53s and provide greater protection from shoulder-fired missiles, Perrin said.

Flares, currently used on scores of military aircraft, are fired off in an effort to misdirect incoming missiles. The infrared system directs a laser at the incoming projectile instead, making it harder for the missile to track the aircraft.

“It doesn’t burn it up or blow it up,” said Jack Pledger, a Northrop Grumman representative. “It gives it a command to turn away from the airplane.”

So far, the Corps has bought 48 of the devices, Pledger said. The company expects to supply the Corps with more than 150, including 60 units for CH-46 Sea Knight medium-lift helicopters.