Israeli Company Elbit Systems announced today that it was selected by the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to support the preliminary design of Airborne Electronic Warfare (EW) self-protection systems for the Sikorsky CH‑53 GS/GE transport helicopters, as part of the platform upgrade program led by Airbus Helicopters. Mature and combat proven, the EW systems to be provided include Elbit Systems’ unified, digital Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) and EW Controllers (EWC).
Elbit Systems’ digital RWR and EWC rapidly detect and accurately locate a wide range of impinging enemy threats, even in a dense EW environment, enabling reliable and timely warning to the aircrew. The digital RWR and EWC feature complete and independent threat programmability enabling seamless update of emitter libraries as well as flight data recording for pilot debriefing and training. Their low size, weight and power, as well as low life cycle costs, further increase the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the systems.
The German Army Aviation Corps received 110 type CH-53Gs, derivatives of the CH-53D, between 1971 and 1975. 108 helicopters were built in Germany by VFW-Fokker. German Army Aviation Corps units have carried out a wide range of international missions under the auspices of NATO and the UN. Due to the lower cargo capacities of the NH-90, service life extensions for at least a portion the CH-53 fleet are envisioned, bringing its useful life out to approximately 2030. On 1 January 2013 all Army Aviation Corps CH-53Gs were transferred to the German Air Force and incorporated into Helicopter Wing 64.
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy-lift transport helicopters. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is in service with Germany, Iran, Israel, and Mexico. The United States Air Force operated the HH-53 “Super Jolly Green Giant” during the late– and post–Vietnam-War era, updating most of them as the MH-53 Pave Low. The dimensionally-similar CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavier-lifting, improved version designated S-80E by Sikorsky. Its third engine makes it more powerful than the Sea Stallion, which it has replaced in the heavy-lift mission.
