The U.S. Marine Corps is set to bolster its heavy-lift capabilities with a monumental multi-year contract awarded to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary. Valued at a staggering $10.8 billion, the agreement paves the way for the construction of up to 99 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the Marine Corps and its international partners. This landmark deal marks the first multi-year contract of its kind for the program, signaling a significant investment in the future of Marine aviation.
A Game-Changer for Marine Aviation
The Pentagon plans to acquire a total of 200 CH-53K helicopters, with this new agreement accounting for roughly half of the entire program. According to a statement released by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on Friday, the five-year deal is projected to save an estimated $1.5 billion between 2025 and 2029.
Streamlining Production, Maximizing Savings
Col. Kate Fleeger, program manager for the CH-53K, emphasized the importance of this multi-year procurement in mitigating program costs. „The contract allows Sikorsky to take advantage of a long-term, stable demand signal and bundle purchase orders from suppliers to achieve better pricing,” she stated. „That savings is then passed on to the government.”
The King Stallion: A Heavy-Lifter of the Future
The CH-53K King Stallion is poised to replace the Marine Corps’ aging CH-53E Super Stallions. Boasting the ability to lift three times the weight of its predecessor, the King Stallion is designed to transport troops, supplies, and heavy equipment across the battlefield with unparalleled efficiency.
Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager, hailed the contract as a testament to the trust and confidence placed in Sikorsky’s ability to deliver technologically advanced, heavy-lift helicopters. He noted that the King Stallion will „revolutionize the Marine Corps’ operational capabilities by adding unrivaled power, performance, survivability, and dependability to the fleet.” Benton also emphasized that the multi-year contract will enable Sikorsky to collaborate with the Department of the Navy to drive long-term affordability, optimize production efficiencies, and stabilize the supply chain and workforce.
Production and Deployment on Track
To date, Sikorsky has delivered 20 helicopters to the Marine Corps, with an additional 63 aircraft in various stages of production. According to NAVAIR, the King Stallion’s first Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment is scheduled for fiscal year 2027.
International Interest Grows
In addition to the U.S. Marine Corps, Sikorsky is also contracted to deliver 12 CH-53K helicopters to Israel, demonstrating the growing international interest in this advanced heavy-lift platform.
Strengthening the Supply Chain
According to Sikorsky, the contract consolidates five separate aircraft orders into a five-year multi-year procurement, ensuring price predictability and a consistent flow of materials from 267 CH-53K suppliers across 37 states and 17 suppliers from eight countries. This agreement allows the U.S. Government to procure up to 99 CH-53K aircraft for the Marine Corps or to fulfill orders from international military customers.
