SIKORSKY

Sikorsky Delivers Two More CH-53K Helicopters to the US Marine Corps

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, delivered two CH-53K helicopters to the US Marine Corps in the last quarter of 2022.

These CH-53K heavy helicopters join seven already in service at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

“Sikorsky employees are using advanced technologies to manufacture the CH-53K helicopter, which increases the potential and survivability of the US Marine Corps,” said Bill Falk, Sikorsky CH-53K Program Director. “With the transformative technologies of the CH-53K, it is possible for the Marine Corps and our allies to deter more threats in the ever-changing landscape of the battlefield.”

The heavy lift capabilities of the CH-53K exceed all other US Department of Defense rotorcraft platforms and it is the only heavy lift helicopter that will remain in production through 2032 and beyond.

Sikorsky is on track to deliver more multi-mission King Stallion helicopters to the US Marine Corps in 2023.

The US Navy declared full rate production for the CH-53K program in December 2022; a decision that is expected to increase production to more than 20 helicopters annually for years to come. Expanded production includes twelve (12) aircraft in various stages of production for the Government of Israel.

Sikorsky is procuring long-term items and critical materials to support the growing production of CH-53K for full-rate production in its digital factory.

The CH-53K is an intelligent aircraft developed according to 21st century standards, bringing greater safety and survivability to the combatant. The CH-53K helicopter will provide many decades of heavy duty, multi-mission work around the world for the Marine Corps, the Joint Force and our Allies.

A full authority digital fly-by-wire Flight Control System (FCS) is one of the many impressive features that set the CH-53K King Stallion™ heavy lift helicopter apart from any other heavy lift aircraft. “Full authority” means that the FCS provides all aircraft movement – not just supplementing the pilot for stability.

A digital fly-by-wire FCS is an electronic flight control system associated with a digital computer that replaces the mechanical control systems on an aircraft. This makes the aircraft easier to handle in degraded visual environments.

For pilots such as Marine Corps Captain Chris Vanderweerd, the system provides more predictable and stable control responses to improve safety and mission effectiveness.