Sikorsky delivers third CH-53K helicopter to U.S. Marine Corps

CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. Photo Credit, all images: Lockheed Martin

Sikorsky Aircraft (Stratford, Conn., U.S.), a Lockheed Martin (Bethesda, Md., U.S.) company, has delivered the third low-rate initial production (LRIP) composites-intensive CH-53K helicopter ahead of contract schedule to the U.S. Marine Corps. This aircraft, built in Sikorsky’s digital factory, is reported to be the first CH-53K from the Lot 2 LRIP contract awarded by the U.S. Navy in 2019, and the seventh overall delivered to the fleet. The CH‑53K’s heavy-lift capabilities exceed all other U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) rotary wing platforms and is the only heavy-lift helicopter that will remain in production through 2032 and beyond.

The CH-53K heavy lift helicopter joins the six in operation at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, N.C. The CH-53K is said to be the only sea-based, long-range, heavy-lift helicopter in production and will immediately provide three times the lift capability of its predecessor.

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“This Connecticut-built CH-53K aircraft is a credit to our employees and their skills embracing digital tools and other advanced technologies to continue the Sikorsky legacy of building modern, safe, reliable rotorcraft. Our nationwide supply chain supports the active production line as we prepare to deliver two more CH-53K helicopters later this year,” Bill Falk, director, Sikorsky CH-53K program, says. “We look forward to continuing our progress toward next year’s full rate production decision.”

The CH-53K helicopter was born in a digital environment, and now its digital thread connects design, manufacturing, training and sustainment teams. This network, that includes everything from work instructions to maintenance manuals, is based on the helicopter’s single, continuous data thread that stays consistent from initial design all the way through sustainment, according to Sikorsky. Today, all of Sikorsky's aircraft programs are born in a digital environment, driving affordability, producibility and reliability across the aircraft lifecycle.

The CH-53K is Sikorsky’s pioneer digital technology program with advancing installation of wheels, electrical units, hydraulics and more. The high-tech production line in Connecticut is active with seven aircraft in build on final assembly.

The CH-53K helicopters are being built at Sikorsky headquarters in Stratford, Conn., U.S., leveraging the company’s digital build and advanced technology production processes.

The U.S. Marines recently declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and have been flying and supporting the CH-53K in the fleet environment demonstrating the aircraft is on track to deploy on schedule in 2024. The aircraft have flown more than 3,000 flight hours showcasing the CH‑53K’s performance in a range of mission scenarios and challenging environments.

The CH-53K will 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.

Earlier this year Sikorsky says it also secured a contract to build 12 CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters for Israel under a U.S. Navy Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement. The signed letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) between the U.S. government and Israel states first deliveries of the baseline aircraft are planned for 2025.

The CH-53K helicopters will replace the Israeli Air Force (IAF) fleet of modified CH-53D Yasur helicopters, which have been in Israel’s inventory for more than 50 years. The all-new CH-53K reportedly delivers modern state-of-the-art capabilities that result in improved survivability, safety and reduced aircrew workload over its predecessor.