Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

  • News
  • Event News
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
    • WDS 2022
    • DSEI 2021
    • MADEX 2021
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»Lockheed Martin To Build 9 Additional CH-53K Helicopters For USMC
Euronaval 2022
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

Up to 200 LRASM for RAAF with potentially more for RAN

Up to 200 LRASM for RAAF with potentially more for RAN

Benjamin Felton 21 May 2022
During INDO PACIFIC 2022, Naval News had the opportunity to talk to Lockheed Martin Australia about the future of LRASM ‘down under’.
LCS 29 (USS Beloit) Christened And Launched

LCS 29 (USS Beloit) Christened And Launched

Naval News Staff 10 May 2022
The Lockheed Martin-led shipbuilding team launched Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 29, the future USS Beloit.
USMC declares IOC for CH-53K King Stallion

USMC declares IOC for CH-53K King Stallion

Naval News Staff 25 Apr 2022
Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lt. Gen. Mark Wise announced the United States Marine Corps (USMC) has achieved initial operational capability in the CH-53K King Stallion on April 22, 2022.

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved