: The Marines plan to rebuild 111 of their 165 CH-53E heavy lift Super Stallion helicopters to extend their service lives to 2025. Specific plans include:

@ The engines will be replaced by the Rolls-Royce AE1107C engine, the same type used in the V-22 and C-130J. This provides improved speed and power while burning less fuel.

@ The new Sikorsky S-92 rotor blades, combined with the new engine, will increase the payload to 12,700 kilograms.

@ An improved cargo hook which is more reliable and simpler will allow the aircraft to carry outsized external cargo.

@ An improved rotor head will require less maintenance.

@ A new cockpit design, based on either the V-22 or UH-1Y, will reduce pilot workload, ease maintenance, and improve the field of view.

@ Selected airframe elements (tail pylons, the cabin around the transmission) will be rebuilt to reduce airframe fatigue.--Stephen V Cole