Sikorsky Rheinmetall Expands Partnership

Lockheed Martin, February 10, 2021 - Sikorsky and the members of the German CH-53K industrial team have confirmed their willingness to cooperate with a new teaming agreement.

Christian Albrecht, International Business Development Manager at Sikorsky: “We have worked intensively and in close coordination on a concept of how the CH-53K heavy transport helicopter can be operated and maintained in the best possible way. ”

“German industry is the perfect partner for this and also guarantees the greatest possible degree of independence from foreign companies. We are all the more pleased that we have recently been able to win another exclusive partner”, said Albrecht.

The US helicopter manufacturer is applying for the delivery of the new heavy transport helicopter (STH) to the German Armed Forces.

To this end, Sikorsky formed a team from leading German technology companies at an early stage, which in addition to Rheinmetall also includes MTU Aero Engines, Autoflug and Hydro Systems - and now Reiser Simulation and Training. The Bavarian medium-sized company strengthens the German CH-53K industrial team as a subcontractor of Rheinmetall.

Mike Schmidt, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Aviation Services GmbH “Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH is a proven specialist in the German aviation industry. Rheinmetall and Reiser will combine their technological experience in the field of training and simulation and in this way present a high-quality offer that meets all the standards of the Bundeswehr.

In the case of the CH-53K, the basic version already meets all the relevant capability requirements of the Bundeswehr. One of the main reasons for this is the air refueling probe, which is available as standard, and the resulting greatly expanded operating range of the CH-53K.

CH-53K: High proportion of added value in Germany

The substantial participation of numerous German companies also underlines the importance of the project for Germany as an industrial location. Should the Bundeswehr procure the transport helicopter, a large part of the added value of the CH-53K would occur in Germany. For German industry, this would mean new long-term jobs in the high-tech sector and an important transfer of know-how.

Reiser will contribute his competence in the field of training and simulation to the project - especially with simulation offers and technical solutions for training maintenance personnel. The company is a proven partner for training systems for the German armed forces, for example in the NH90 project for the army and the navy and in the Eurofighter for the air force. In the STH project, Reiser ideally complements Rheinmetall's expertise in the field of simulation.

With a view to the advanced course of the project, Dr. Roman Sperl, Managing Director of Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH, now is exactly the right time to join the promising and extremely powerful industrial team. “We are very happy to be part of the CH-53K team. We are used to working with Rheinmetall and together we will contribute to the maximum increase in operational readiness of the CH-53K. "Sperl continues:" This helicopter sets a completely new technological standard. From our point of view, the Bundeswehr is well advised to choose the most innovative product and the best German industrial team. "

The CH-53K ("King Stallion") is currently the most modern, intelligent and powerful large helicopter on the market. Series production of the CH-53K in the USA is proceeding according to plan. There are currently more than 30 aircraft in various stages of production. The first CH-53K is scheduled to be deployed in 2023/24.

The German CH-53K Team

Sikorsky formed a German industrial team at an early stage and ensured that the expertise of the local partners was incorporated directly into the application. Much of the added value of the

The project will therefore be created in Germany. The German CH-53K team is led by Rheinmetall. Other team members include Autoflug, Collins Aerospace, Hensoldt, HYDRO Systems, MTU Aero Engines, Rohde & Schwarz, Vincorion, ZFL and Reiser.

The German-American CH-53K team is the basic requirement for a successful STH program and guarantees high availability of the helicopter as well as reliable support and maintenance - over the entire service life of the helicopter.