Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

  • News
  • Event News
    • CNE 2023
    • IMDEX Asia 2023
    • Sea Air Space 2023
    • DSEI Japan 2023
    • NAVDEX 2023
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»Lockheed Martin To Build 9 Additional CH-53K Helicopters For USMC
PATRIA
Lockheed Martin To Build 9 Additional CH-53K Helicopters For USMC
CH-53K King Stallion helicopter (USMC photo)

Lockheed Martin To Build 9 Additional CH-53K Helicopters For USMC

The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to build nine additional CH-53K helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Naval News Staff 05 Feb 2022

Lockheed Martin press release

Prioritizing affordability and utilizing advanced manufacturing techniques, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), will build nine additional CH-53K™ aircraft at a lower unit price than previous lot buys, resulting in significant savings for the U.S. government and taxpayers. The company’s experienced supply chain coupled with its active digital approach drives speed and affordability throughout design, development, production, and sustainment.

The CH-53K will further support the U.S. 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 U.S. 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 a reduced burden to the fleet. 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.”


Bill Falk, Sikorsky Director, CH-53K programs

Building to Deliver

Lockheed Martin To Build 9 Additional CH-53K Helicopters For USMC
Production line of CH-53K helicopters (Lockheed image)

The aircraft will be built at Sikorsky headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut, leveraging the company’s digital build and advanced technology production processes.

The factory is active with seven CH-53K aircraft in build, and there are 47 more aircraft in various stages of production.

Sikorsky has made significant investments in workforce training, tooling, and machinery to increase the number of aircraft built and delivered year over year.

In total, Sikorsky has delivered five operational CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters to the U.S. Marine Corps in Jacksonville, North Carolina, with four more planned for delivery this year. 

       

Marines Flying CH-53K in Fleet Environment

Lockheed Martin To Build 9 Additional CH-53K Helicopters For USMC
USMC photo

The CH-53K program operated by the U.S. Marine Corps entered Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in 2021 and is set to conclude in 2022.

Sikorsky has a strong foundation to support the CH-53K because the company already provides the U.S. Marines with predictive maintenance on the legacy CH-53E by utilizing the Fleet Common Operating Environment (FCOE) enabling the shift from reactive to predictive maintenance.

The CH-53K aircraft is equipped with Integrated Vehicle Health Management System (IVHMS), which will transition the U.S. 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 U.S. 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.

CH-53K Lockheed Martin USMC 2022-02-05
Tags CH-53K Lockheed Martin USMC
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Related Articles

Lockheed Martin and Navantia Reach Aegis Integration Milestone

Lockheed Martin and Navantia Reach Aegis Integration Milestone

Naval News Staff 18 May 2023
Lockheed Martin and Spanish Industry Partner Navantia Reach Critical First Building Block in Aegis Integration
Kill Chain Tested at First-Ever Balikatan SINKEX 

Kill Chain Tested at First-Ever Balikatan SINKEX 

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa 27 Apr 2023
U.S. and Philippine forces practiced the integration of sensing, fires, and C2 during Balikatan 2023's SINKEX.
How Enemy’s LRPF Affects USMC Contested Logistics

How Enemy’s LRPF Affects USMC Contested Logistics

Peter Ong 27 Apr 2023
How the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) logistics may be affected by an enemy’s long-range precision fires (LRPF).

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok