US Marines' CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter reaches operational test.

According to a PR published by Lockheed Martin on April 5, 2022, demonstrating its advanced capabilities in the fleet environment, the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter completed Initial Operational Test & Evaluation test vignettes (IOT&E) paving the way for the expected declaration by the U.S. Marine Corps of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) later this year and a Full Rate Production decision in 2023.

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 CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

Demonstrating its advanced capabilities in the fleet environment, the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter completed Initial Operational Test & Evaluation test vignettes (IOT&E) paving the way for the expected declaration by the U.S. Marine Corps of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) later this year and a Full Rate Production decision in 2023.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, built four System Demonstration Test Article CH-53K helicopters and delivered them to the Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1), in Jacksonville, North Carolina, to support the seven-month evaluation, which concluded in March.

An additional 10 U.S.Marine Corps aircraft are on contract for long-lead material. The program of record for the U.S. Marine Corps is 200 aircraft.

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter produced by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps. It is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the U.S. military.

The CH-53K is a general redesign with new engines and a cockpit layout. The CH-53K will use General Electric T408 (GE38-1B) engines rated at 7,500 shp (5,600 kW) each[49] and able to fly 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) faster than its CH-53E predecessor.