Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky was awarded a $1 billion contract modification to build CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps.
The $1.13 billion contract modification, awarded by the Navy, is for 12 Lot 2 and 3 low-rate initial production King Stallions as part of the 200 program of record aircraft for the Marine Corps, Lockheed Martin said on Friday, May 17.
The contract includes programmatic support, logistics support, and peculiar support equipment, the Department of Defense said.
Sikorsky will begin deliveries in 2022.
CH-53K King Stallion
The King Stallion can carry up to 27,000 lbs (12,200 kg) over 110 natural miles (204 km), more than tripling the load of Sikorsky’s CH-53E helicopter.
Developed for the U.S Marine Corps, is the only sea-based, long-range, heavy-lift helicopter in production.
Sikorsky promotes the CH-53K for expeditionary heavy-lift transport of armored vehicles, equipment, and personnel to support distributed operations inland from a sea-based center of operations, as well as support for special operations forces, humanitarian missions and combat search-and-rescue.
Initially intended to be delivered in 2018, the helicopter was delayed due to technical issues in the design that required a major restructuring of the program. The King Stallion is expected to be declared combat-ready in 2020 and to be deployed within three years.
