Sikorsky to supply 35 CH-53K King Stallion heavy helicopters to US Navy and Israeli Air Force.

On August 24, 2023, Lockheed Martin announced the awarding of a $2.7 billion contract between the US Navy and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, for 35 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters.

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Israeli Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

US Navy's partnership with Sikorsky has reached a new step with the awarding of a $2.7 billion contract for 35 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters. With this recent contract, Sikorsky will begin delivering the 35 additional CH-53K helicopters starting in 2026. This includes 12 US Marine Corps Lot 7 aircraft, 15 US Marine Corps Lot 8 aircraft, and eight aircraft for Israel, advancing both Sikorsky and the US Navy toward a multi-year agreement and the 200 aircraft Marine Corps Program of Record.

The development of the CH-53K King Stallion began with a vision to create a multi-mission helicopter with unparalleled heavy-lift capabilities. Through extensive evaluations, the aircraft demonstrated its ability to carry a 27,000-pound external load over 110 nautical miles in challenging conditions, surpassing the capacity of previous models. The US Marines' achievement of over 1,000 operational flight hours in the CH-53K further showcased its reliability and performance. Two successful sea trials added to the aircraft's credentials, leading to the US Navy's declaration of Full Rate Production for the CH-53K program in December 2022. This move set the stage for an increase in production to more than 20 helicopters annually.

With three times the lift capability of its predecessor, the CH-53K is the new heavy-lift solution for the naval force. The CH-53K can fly at higher altitudes, for longer distances and in hotter conditions than the CH-53E. The CH-53K is a general redesign with new engines and a cockpit layout. The CH-53K uses General Electric T408 (GE38-1B) engines rated at 7,500 shp (5,600 kW) each and is able to fly 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) faster than its CH-53E predecessor. It features a new digital glass cockpit with fly-by-wire controls and haptic feedback, HUMS, a new elastomeric hub system, and composite rotor blades to improve "hot and high" performance.

With the recent contract, Sikorsky is slated to begin delivering the 35 additional CH-53K helicopters starting in 2026. This includes 27 aircraft for the US Marine Corps and eight for Israel, advancing both Sikorsky and the US Navy toward a multi-year agreement. The contract also extends the CH-53K's reach to the Israeli Air Force, enhancing their capabilities in various missions, including troop and cargo transport, search and rescue.