Korean Air Wins H-53E Helicopter Contract from U.S. Defense Department

[31 Oct 2021] Korean Air has won a contract from the U.S. Defense Department for the depot maintenance of U.S. Marine and Navy H-53E heavy-lift helicopters.

The deal is worth approximately 150 billion won, roughly USD 135.5 million.

The H-53E heavy-lift helicopters include CH-53E Super Stallion, operated by the U.S. Marine Corps for the purpose of transporting troops and heavy cargo, and MH-53E Sea Dragon, operated by the U.S. Navy for the purpose of searching and removing long-range naval mines.

The CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter owned by the U.S. military. It uses three 4,000 horsepower engines and has a maximum take-off weight of 33 tons, similar to the weight of the F-15 fighter jet.

The maintenance program to be carried out by Korean Air consists of the inspection of main structures and individual components, exchanges and repair, operation checks and support for functional check flights.

In particular, alignment adjustment and fuselage repair need to be performed due to the rotational and vibrational characteristics of the seven large-sized main rotor blades, four tail rotor blades and folding Tail Pylon.

This type of work requires a higher level of maintenance compared to fixed wing aircraft such as A-10 and F-15.

Korean Air has provided depot maintenance for the U.S. military since 1978, and has successfully carried out depot maintenance and modification for fighter jets and aircraft such as F-4, F-15, F-16, C-130 and A-10 as well as helicopters HH-60 and CH-53. Since 1989, Korean Air has conducted depot maintenance for approximately 204 H-53 helicopters.

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