To be honest several people have talked about a flying crane version of the CH-53 (simply remove the fuselage...Mike Sparks was big on the idea) so could a modern version work? I think so. What I wonder is how much weight would be saved by giving it the CH-54 treatment. Back on task though. Upgrade those engines to the same on the '53K and you might have a nice thing here. One problem (I think). RANGE!30 years after the U.S. Army retired the @Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe, @EricksonInc is proposing a modernized version of the aircraft, the S-64F+ as an optionally-manned heavylift logistics platform to free up Chinooks and CH-53Ks for the front line. Story to come. pic.twitter.com/0urCz9cmUB
— Tony Osborne (@Rotorfocus) February 23, 2021
