PATUXENT RIVER, Md. –
The CH-53K King Stallion first took to the skies Oct. 27, 2015. More than a decade later, 20 CH-53Ks are now flying missions across four Navy and Marine Corps squadrons.
The CH-53K, set for its first deployment in fiscal year 2027, achieved Initial Operational Capability in April 2022 and entered full-rate production that November. As the U.S. military’s only heavy-lift helicopter, the King Stallion can lift 36,000 pounds, refuel midair and provide ship-to-shore mobility and maneuverability for a wide range of assault support missions.
According to Col. Kate Fleeger, program manager for the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office, the aircraft will play a key role in sustaining forward operations, ensuring forces remain agile and supported and maintaining a forward presence on the battlefield.
“With its unique capability to lift all Marine Corps air-transportable equipment from ship-to-shore, the CH-53K will play a crucial role in rapidly and flexibly deploying forces and supplies, supporting expeditionary advanced base operations and distributed air operations concepts, and ultimately enabling the Marine Corps to project power and sustain its presence with greater speed and agility,” she said.
The Marine Corps plans to procure 200 CH-53Ks, and the program office recently entered a five-year, multi-year contract with Sikorsky to purchase up to 99 additional helicopters.
“We will be equipping six active-duty squadrons, one reserve squadron, two test squadrons and a training squadron with the CH-53K as the Marine Corps transitions from the CH-53E Super Stallion,” Fleeger said. “The full changeover is expected to be completed in FY32.”
From the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office. 