Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has been awarded a $10.855 billion contract by the U.S. Navy to produce up to 99 CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps over a five-year period. This is the largest order for the aircraft to date and will support deliveries between 2029 and 2034.
According to Sikorsky, this multi-year contract will help stabilize the U.S. industrial base by maintaining thousands of production jobs at Sikorsky and throughout its supply chain across 37 states and eight countries. The agreement combines five separate orders into one procurement process, covering Lots 9 through 13, which is expected to improve price predictability and ensure steady material flow from its network of 267 suppliers.
"This award reflects trust and confidence in Sikorsky to deliver these technologically advanced, heavy-lift helicopters that will revolutionize the Marine Corps' operational capabilities by adding unrivaled power, performance, survivability and dependability to the fleet," said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. "The multi-year contract enables Sikorsky to partner with the Department of the Navy to drive long-term affordability, optimize production efficiencies and stabilize our supply chain and workforce, ensuring the Marines maintain the strategic advantage with the CH-53K in a rapidly evolving battlespace."
So far, Sikorsky has delivered 20 CH-53K helicopters to the Marine Corps. An additional 63 units are currently in various stages of production or assembly under previous contracts.
Col. Kate Fleeger, Program Manager for H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopter Program Office (PMA-261), stated: "This contract represents a huge 'win' for the entire CH-53K team. The contract allows Sikorsky to bundle purchase orders from suppliers to achieve better pricing and pass the savings on to the government, giving us the ability to provide dependable delivery to the fleet and a consistent and predictable timeline for the transition from the CH-53E to the CH-53K."
The Marine Corps has already transitioned one squadron entirely to use CH-53K helicopters. Additional aircraft are currently operating at developmental test squadrons, operational test squadrons, and training squadrons as part of ongoing requirements.
The Department of the Navy declared full-rate production for this program in December 2022. The Marine Corps' overall plan remains set at acquiring 200 CH-53K helicopters.
For more information about this program visit www.lockheedmartin.com/ch-53k or NAVAIR.
CH-53K and KING STALLION are trademarks of the Department of the Navy.
Lockheed Martin describes itself as a global defense technology company focused on innovation in mission solutions across all domains.
