NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 5, 2014 – Donaldson Aerospace & Defense has completed delivering system development versions of its Engine Air Particle Protection System (EAPPS) to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation’s CH-53K program that will provide the next-generation heavy-lift helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps.
The 12 Engineering Development Models delivered by Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), support the system development and demonstration phase of the CH-53K program. This phase is scheduled to achieve a key milestone this month when the CH-53K Ground Test Vehicle “lights off” to test its three turbine engines, main and tail rotors and transmissions at Sikorsky’s West Palm Beach, Florida facility. The first flight is scheduled for 2014, with initial operating capability of the first CH-53K squadrons targeted for Fiscal Year 2019.
The Marine Corps plans to acquire 196 CH-53Ks, which are designed to have twice the payload and combat radius capability of the current heavy-lift CH-53E and perform better in “high and hot” operating conditions, all while maintaining the same footprint as the CH-53E when deployed on ships. In addition to flying at high altitudes in hot temperatures, the CH-53K will carry troops and cargo to remote, unimproved landing sites in dusty and dirty conditions. Its three, 6,000-shaft-horsepower-class engines are key to achieving these goals and Donaldson’s EAPPS are key to ensuring the engines perform safely and reliably in such challenging conditions.
“The CH-53K will provide critical heavy-lift capabilities for the most urgent missions the Marines perform, including combat deployment and support, troop positioning and resupply and humanitarian relief after natural disasters,” said General Manager Mark Rigby of Donaldson Aerospace & Defense. “Donaldson is honored that our advanced filtration technology will play an essential role in this impressive helicopter’s success on those missions.”
Using its patented Strata™ Tube technology, Donaldson developed the lightweight, high-efficiency EAPPS to protect the CH-53K’s engines from the damaging effects of dirt, dust, sand and other contaminants. Strata technology offers low airflow restriction, high filtration efficiencies and minimal maintenance. Strata panels are used successfully in many military applications, including the D and E versions of the CH-53.
To learn more about the Donaldson Aerospace & Defense group, visit www.DonaldsonAerospace-Defense.com.
About Donaldson’s Aerospace & Defense Group
Donaldson’s Aerospace & Defense Group is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems for the aerospace and defense industry. Our filtration solutions protect fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, military ground vehicles, electronic equipment, space vehicles, missiles, military shipboard systems and amphibious vehicles. We are committed to advancing filtration technology and providing quality products and prompt customer service. Our group serves customers from sales, engineering and manufacturing locations around the world.
About Donaldson Company
Donaldson is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems that improve people’s lives, enhance our Customers’ equipment performance and protect our environment. We are a technology-driven Company committed to satisfying our Customers’ needs for filtration solutions through innovative research and development, application expertise and global presence. Our approximately 12,200 employees contribute to the Company’s success by supporting our Customers at our more than 140 sales, manufacturing and distribution locations around the world.
Donaldson is a member of the S&P MidCap 400 and Russell 1000 indices, and our shares trade on the NYSE under the symbol DCI. Additional information is available at www.donaldson.com.
