IAF's oldest but most reliable helicopter undergoes overhaul

The Yasour - "Puffin," the IAF's name for the Sikorsky CH-53 - was first integrated into service in 1969.

By YAAKOV KATZ
yasour 224.88 (photo credit: IAF)
yasour 224.88
(photo credit: IAF)
Due to its large size and impressive versatility, the Yasour transport helicopter is considered the most reliable aircraft of its kind in the IAF, even after 40 years of service and the regular mechanical checkups it requires. The Yasour - "Puffin," the IAF's name for the Sikorsky CH-53 - was first integrated into service in 1969 after it was bought by Israel from the United States. It is used regularly by the IAF's 669 Search and Rescue team and is known for some legendary missions, such as the 1973 airlifting of more than 600 soldiers to Mount Hermon, which they conquered from the Syrians. The aircraft were received over a number of years and came in different variations since they were modified for use by the US Navy, Air Force, Army and Marines. The helicopter is the IAF's primary aircraft for transporting soldiers - it can carry 35 - and was used extensively during the Second Lebanon War in 2006. One Yasour helicopter was shot down by Hizbullah during the war. Last year, the IAF began a new upgrade program for the helicopter called "Yasour 2025" under which it installed the helicopter with over 20 new electronic systems - including, for the first time on helicopters, a missile defense system. The upgrades are meant to extend the life of the aircraft until 2025 and have cost the IAF tens of millions of dollars. The last major fleet upgrade was done in the late nineties and was outsourced to a local defense industry. In addition to the 2025 program, the Yasour continues to undergo upgrades. Several months ago, a helicopter from the squadron based at the Tel Nof Air Force Base encountered a mechanical problem with its rotor during a routine training flight. Upon the helicopter's return to base, mechanics discovered a technical problem with two discs at the base of the rotor that were rubbing against one another. Under the direction of Tel Nof base commander Brig.-Gen. Ronen Dan, the IAF conducted a sweeping inspection of all Yasour aircraft and decided to replace all the discs at the base of the rotors. The discs are now replaced every 2,000-3,000 flight hours. "This helicopter is extremely reliable thanks to our continuous upgrades," a top IAF officer explained last week. "There is no other helicopter like it today and our job is not just to fly it but also to ensure that it receives the highest level of maintenance." For the IAF, there really is no replacement today for the Yasour. One option reviewed by the IAF was Boeing's V-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor vertical/short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) multi-mission aircraft developed to ferry soldiers, and particularly Special Forces, deep behind enemy lines. The aircraft has revolving rotors on its wings which enable it to take off like a helicopter, fly like a plane and then land however it wants. According to the top officer, while the V-22 is still under consideration it could not carry the same number of soldiers or large vehicles as the Yasour.