Sea Dragon’s fate still in doubt

[unhappycamper]

“The big question mark is the heavy lift and whether or not the (MH-60) Sierra is going to be able to do what the 53 did,” said Bob Work, a retired Marine colonel and naval expert with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington, about the debate whether to keep or retire the MH-53E Sea Dragon.


Sea Dragon’s fate still in doubt
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 2, 2009 6:52:40 EST

Whether to keep or retire the MH-53E Sea Dragon heavy lift helicopter is among the last unresolved questions in the Navy’s vision for its future rotary-wing fleet.

The MH-53E — which helps hunt for mines and haul the heaviest sling loads — is the subject of a high-level review that has been underway for nearly two years. The review will be completed later this year, said Lt. Cmdr. Victor Chen, spokesman for Navy research, development and acquisition.

The review is occurring as the Navy “necks down” most of its helicopter fleet to two models, the MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawks.

But neither of those helicopters is as big and powerful as the MH-53, which can lift up to three times more than Seahawks.

“The big question mark is the heavy lift and whether or not the (MH-60) Sierra is going to be able to do what the 53 did,” said Bob Work, a retired Marine colonel and naval expert with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington.


Rest of article at: http://navytimes.com/news/2009/02/navy_seadragons_020109w/%2e