LONDON – Sikorsky will ramp up production of its CH-53K ‘King Stallion’ helicopter to support U.S. Navy and Marine Corps demand.
The U.S. Navy declared full rate production of the Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter, a decision that is expected to increase production to more than 20 helicopters annually in the coming years.
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, is procuring long-lead items and critical materials to support building full rate production CH-53K helicopters in its digital factory.
“Ramping up production of the most technologically advanced helicopter in the world allows the U.S. Marine Corps to build out its CH-53K King Stallion fleet and support mission success,” said Bill Falk, director of the Sikorsky CH-53K program.
“This production authorization stabilizes Sikorsky’s domestic supply chain and is a testament to our enduring partnership with the Marine Corps.”
This full-rate production decision instills confidence in the diverse network of more than 200 CH‑53K suppliers across 34 states. The Marine Corps’ commitment to the CH-53K will allow suppliers to purchase in bulk, creating efficiencies and driving down overall costs for the U.S. military and international allies.
The Marine Corps’ approved acquisition objective is 200 aircraft.
The U.S. Marine Corps declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the CH-53K helicopter in April 2022, validating the platform’s operational readiness to forward deploy Marines and equipment across the globe.
About the CH-53K King Stallion
The CH‑53K is a multi-mission helicopter with heavy-lift capabilities that exceed all other U.S. Department of Defense rotary wing aircraft and is the only heavy-lift helicopter that will remain in production through 2032 and beyond.
The helicopter can carry a 27,000-pound external load over 110 nautical miles in high/hot conditions, which is more than triple the external load carrying capacity of the legacy CH-53E aircraft.
The CH-53K King Stallion is designed to conduct expeditionary assault transport of armored vehicles, equipment, and personnel to support distributed operations deep inland from a sea-based center of operations, critical in the Indo-Pacific region.
The CH-53K helicopter will work as the USMC’s vital land and sea-based logistical link since it was created to the high standards of the USMC.
The new heavy lifter will make it easier and faster than ever for the U.S. Marine Corps and other forces to transport personnel and supplies from ships to land and to higher altitudes.
The aircraft will be able to support a variety of activities, including search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian relief.
The King Stallion has now completed 1,200 test flight hours, and the CH-53K accomplished significant milestones in 2018 by flying in extreme altitudes, sweltering heat, and poor visibility.
Soucre: aviationsourcenews.com
