Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has drawn three U.S. Dept. of Defense orders totaling $420.4 million for a variety of components and systems for the CH-53K aircraft. The CH-53K, known as the King Stallion, is a heavy-lift transport helicopter, the largest and heaviest helicopter in service for U.S. defense forces.
The King Stallion is powered by three, 7500-hp General Electric GE38 gas turbine engines, with a range of 530 miles and payload of 27,000 lbs.
The U.S. Marine Corps is scheduled to receive a total of 200 CH-53Ks in a fleet-replacement program over multiple years, and last year the U.S. Navy granted a $2.77-billion award to Sikorsky for 35 King Stallions, with deliveries starting in 2026.
That award to the Lockheed Martin business signals the first contracts under full-rate production of the CH-53K.
All of the work awarded will be performed at Sikorsky’s base in Stratford, Conn.
The first award is a firm-fixed-price delivery order worth $175.74 million for a firm-fixed-price delivery order for 22 main modules of the CH-53K aircraft. This contract contains no options, and it is expected to be completed by November 2034.
The second award to Sikorsky Aircraft is worth $132,98 million for procurement of 128 main rotor blade assemblies for CH-53K aircraft. This contract contains no options and is expected to be completed by October 2032.
Last, Sikorsky Aircraft was awarded $111.64 million for procurement of eight helicopter rotor-hub assemblies for CH-53K aircraft.
