US Navy Sets Sail into History with Groundbreaking CH-53K Deal: 99 Powerful King Stallions on the Way!
Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, secured a $10.855 billion contract from the U.S. Navy to produce up to 99 CH-53K® King Stallion® helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps over a five-year term, representing the largest procurement for this aircraft to date. This arrangement will ensure continuous deliveries of the United States’ most advanced heavy-lift helicopter between 2029 and 2034, reinforcing the U.S. manufacturing sector by preserving thousands of jobs at Sikorsky and throughout its national supply network.
“This agreement exemplifies the confidence placed in Sikorsky to deliver these innovative, heavy-lift helicopters that will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Marine Corps by providing unparalleled power, performance, durability, and dependability to the fleet,” remarked Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “The long-term contract facilitates a partnership with the Department of the Navy to promote ongoing cost-effectiveness, optimize production efficiencies, and stabilize our supply chain and workforce, ensuring the Marines maintain a competitive advantage with the CH-53K in a rapidly evolving combat landscape.”
The contract consolidates five separate aircraft orders — designated as Lots 9-13 — into a five-year multi-year procurement, guaranteeing pricing stability and a consistent supply of parts from 267 CH-53K suppliers across 37 states and 17 suppliers from eight nations. This agreement allows the U.S. Government to acquire up to 99 CH-53K aircraft for the Marine Corps or fulfill requests from allied military clients.
Sikorsky has delivered 20 CH-53K aircraft to the Marine Corps, with an additional 63 aircraft (Lots 4-8) currently undergoing various stages of production and assembly.
“This contract marks a significant triumph for the entire CH-53K team,” noted Col. Kate Fleeger, Program Manager, H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopter Program Office (PMA-261). “The agreement enables Sikorsky to aggregate purchase orders from suppliers to secure enhanced pricing and pass the savings to the government, allowing us to ensure reliable delivery to the fleet and a consistent timeline for the transition from the CH-53E to the CH-53K.”
As of now, the U.S. Marine Corps has deployed one CH-53K fleet squadron and has CH-53K aircraft operational at one developmental test squadron, one operational test squadron, and one training squadron to meet mission requirements.
Sikorsky designed the CH-53K helicopter to meet the Marine Corps’ lifting needs for modern battlefields — to transport personnel, supplies, and heavy equipment through contested areas — and to endure.
The Department of the Navy confirmed Full Rate Production for the CH-53K program in December 2022. The U.S. Marine Corps’ Program of Record persists at 200 CH-53K aircraft.
