PATUXENT RIVER, Md. –
Members of the Air Vehicle Department from H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office have coordinated with the Human Systems Engineering Department’s Aircraft Lighting and Transparency Lab (ALTL) and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX)-21 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, and Sikorsky to find a replacement to a searchlight on the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter. This group effort is needed because the current light became difficult to obtain through the manufacturer.
Just like many other aircraft in the Department of War, the CH-53K comes equipped with a searchlight. In the case of CH-53K, two searchlights are needed. These important lights are used in nighttime takeoffs and landings, search and rescue missions, and many tactical operations where improved visibility is required.
Though the lights may seem insignificant pieces of apparatus, a delay of nearly two years in the lead time from the manufacturer to obtain these lights led the team to seek a replacement light that would be more readily available and perform as needed.
The new searchlight was tested at NAS Patuxent River in March to see if a mixed configuration between the incumbent and a new manufacturer of searchlights would be deemed acceptable by the test pilots and subject matter experts for the helicopter. The feedback and information are critical to the program office so they can provide the fleet a path forward on implementation.
“This light performs as good or better than the incumbent in visible mode, infrared radiance and illumination area and offers improved visible and dimming control,” said Daniel Harris, CH-53K Air Vehicle team member.
Even better, according to Harris, the initial reporting showed a mixed configuration between the new and incumbent light is allowable, which means the lights can be updated as needed into the aircraft while in the fleet by attrition.
An additional benefit is the new light is a successful affordability achievement. This affordability benefit is jointly achieved between the government and Sikorsky.
“The new light is almost half the cost of the one it is replacing,” Harris said, “with a lead time just a fraction of that of the incumbent.”
The program office’s Air Vehicle team is continuing to work to ensure the fleet has access to the affordable and available parts they need for mission readiness.
From the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office. 