A CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter from Marine Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) was used to transport the first F-35C carrier variant

USMC CH-53K Transports F-35C And Refuels From KC-130 En Route

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2024-04-28 16:00:13

A CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter from Marine Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) was used to transport the first F-35C carrier variant aircraft, CF-1, from the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Patuxent River (Pax ITF) to a Navy unit located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, on April 24. The photos and video released show the helicopter also refueling from a KC-130T during the flight, which appears to have been performed over the coast to avoid overflying populated areas.

CF-1 was delivered to the Prototype, Manufacturing and Test (PMT) Department of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst for use in future emergency recovery systems testing, according to the Pax ITF. The F-35C and rigging weighed about 22,000 pounds after removal of its mission and propulsion systems, outer wings, and additional equipment.

The CH-53K is currently cleared to conduct a 27,000-pound external lift and is projected to be cleared for a 36,000-pound external lift, nearly three-times more under high, hot conditions than its predecessor, the CH-53E. April 24, however, was not the first time the CH-53K sling loaded CF-1. In fact, in December 2023, the same aircraft was used to perform an external load certification lift to evaluate the load and inform future lift capabilities of the new helicopter.