The Lockheed Martin helicopter company Sikorsky, which is based in Stratford, has been awarded a government contract worth up to $10.855 billion. It’s from the U.S. Navy to build up to a maximum of 99 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters. The helicopters will be delivered over a period of five years from 2029 through 2034 for use by the U.S. Marine Corps.
“This award reflects trust and confidence in Sikorsky to deliver these technologically advanced, heavy-lift helicopters that will revolutionize the Marine Corps’ operational capabilities by adding unrivaled power, performance, survivability and dependability to the fleet,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “The multi-year contract enables Sikorsky to partner with the Department of the Navy to drive long-term affordability, optimize production efficiencies and stabilize our supply chain and workforce, ensuring the Marines maintain the strategic advantage with the CH-53K in a rapidly evolving battlespace.”
Sikorsky says that materials to build the helicopters come from 267 suppliers in the U.S. that are located in 37 states. In addition, 17 overseas suppliers are in eight countries.
Under previous contracts, Sikorsky has delivered 20 CH-53K helicopters to the Marine Corps and an additional 63 of the helicopters are in various stages of production and assembly. In all, Sikorsky will have supplied 200 of the CH-53K aircraft to the Marines once all of the current contracts have been fulfilled.
Sikorsky designed the CH-53K to transport troops, supplies and heavy equipment. It notes that the combined power from each of the CH-53K aircraft’s three 7,500 shaft horsepower engines can lift three times the load of its CH-53E predecessor. The helicopter also is capable of being refueled while in flight.
The Navy said there currently are 20 CH-53K aircraft in operation with the Marine Corps and that by committing to long-term contracts such as the new five-year contract for Sikorsky the Navy is reducing costs while making deployment of new equipment more predictable.
