Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), has delivered the first complete shipset of CH-53K Engine Air Particle Protection System (EAPPS) Units to Sikorsky Aircraft. The milestone delivery supports Sikorsky's System Development and Demonstration Program. The advanced engine protection units featuring Donaldson's patented Strata™ Tube technology will be installed on the CH-53K Ground Test Vehicle. The complete shipset included an EAPPS for the number 1, 2 and 3 engines including the integral engine inlet supplied by Meggitt and installed by Donaldson.

"Donaldson is proud that our advanced filtration system will contribute to mission readiness for this critical future military asset," said Sheila Peyraud, General Manager, Aerospace and Defense at Donaldson. Peyraud added that qualification testing is in progress at Donaldson headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn., and so far "the results exceed all specifications and requirements."

In 2007, Donaldson was awarded the contract to design, develop and qualify an inlet filtration system that would protect each of the CH-53K helicopter engines. Using Donaldson's patented Strata™ Tube technology, the company has developed a lightweight, high efficiency filtration system that requires minimal maintenance. The United States Marine Corps will operate the CH-53K, a brand new aircraft maintaining the same physical configuration and footprint of the legacy CH-53A/D/E/G heavy lift helicopters. It is designed to operate in harsh, mountainous and desert environments while providing a substantial increase in lift capability. The CH-53K aircraft is scheduled to achieve its Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in FY2019 and is planned to replace the current inventory of CH-53Es.