ARLINGTON, Va. — Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin company, has received an order from the U.S. Navy for six CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Naval Air Systems Command awarded a $550.4 million contract modification to Sikorsky for Lot IV Low-Rate Initial Production of six CH-53Ks, according to an Oct. 26 Defense Department contract announcement.
The contract modification also includes “associated aircraft, programmatic and logistics support, rate tooling and physical configuration audits.”
The CH-53K is the Marine Corps’ heavy-lift replacement for the CH-53E Super Stallion. Designed to lift nearly 14 tons at a mission radius of 110 nautical miles, in Navy high/hot environments, the CH-53K is designed to lift triple the baseline CH-53E lift capability. The CH-53K will have an equivalent logistics shipboard footprint, lower operating costs per aircraft, and less direct maintenance man hours per flight hour.
The Marine Corps has a requirement for 200 CH-53Ks. The work for the order is expected to be completed in July 2024.
- Benign 4th Fleet AOR Useful for Unmanned Vehicle Operationalization, Admiral Says - March 27, 2024
- Navy to Send Beach Group, Sealift Ships to Support Gaza Relief - March 20, 2024
- Navy Orders 17 Block III Super Hornets Plus Data Package - March 20, 2024