Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has been contracted to build nine additional CH-53K helicopters for US Marine Corps.
The CH-53K will further support the US Marine Corps in its mission to conduct expeditionary heavy-lift 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.
These nine helicopters are part of the 200 aircraft Program of Record for the US Marine Corps with deliveries beginning in 2025.
“By embracing resilient, predictive logistics and sustainment, we are enabling CH-5K crews to make smarter, faster decisions, to increase reliability, and improve readiness and material availability at reduced burden to the fleet,” said Bill Falk , Sikorsky Director, CH-53K programs.
“After 50 years of supporting the CH-53E, Sikorsky has a deep understanding of the heavy-lift mission and an enduring partnership with the U.S. Marines Corps enabling our team and our proven supply chain to offer tailored solutions resulting in more efficient missions.”
The CH-53K aircraft is equipped with integrated vehicle health management system (IVHMS), which will transition the US Marines from fixed interval to on-condition maintenance resulting in lower maintenance crew hours, reduced life cycle costs and increased aircraft readiness.
Lockheed Martin is working with the US Navy on a performance-based logistics contract that expands from the CH-53E to add the CH-53K with a contract award expected this year.
The CH-53K program operated by the US Marine Corps entered initial operational test and evaluation in 2021 and is set to conclude in 2022.