RIMPAC 2016: RAN further expands range of deployable aircraft on board HMAS Canberra with CH-53E landing.

A CH-53E helicopter landing on HMAS Canberra at 'RIMPAC' 2016. Source: Commonwealth of Australia/Royal Australian Navy

By: Wording OD.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has added the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion to a list of aircraft it can now operate on board the Canberra class after a helicopter of the type landed on the platform's first-of-class (L02) in waters off Hawaii.The landing was performed as part of the Rim of the Pacific ('RIMPAC') 2016 international naval exercise, which is taking place till 4 August.

It was conducted with a single helicopter from the United States Marine Corps' (USMC's) Marine Heavy Lift Helicopter Squadron 463, said the RAN via its official social media channel on 19 July. "The landing marks a key objective of Exercise 'RIMPAC', which will ensure the massive helicopter can be operated from the Canberra-class amphibious ship in the future and reinforces the key theme of this year's exercise to develop capable, adaptive partnerships," the service added.

Besides the CH-53E, Canberra also conducted deck landings of the USMC MV-22 Osprey earlier at the same exercise. 'RIMPAC' 2016 represents the Canberra-class' first ever participation in an overseas naval exercise and is being used by the RAN to expand on the range of equipment that can be operated on board the platform from Australia's partner countries such as the United States.

Source: Jane's Defense.