Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has landed a $10.8 billion U.S. Navy contract to produce up to 99 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters over the next five years, cementing the program’s largest order to date. The heavy-lift aircraft, built to replace the aging CH-53E fleet, is billed as the most powerful helicopter ever fielded by the United States.
The award, announced Friday, will support Marine Corps operations and potentially international customers, underscoring the King Stallion’s role in shaping the future of battlefield mobility.
A Strategic Win in a Rapidly Shifting Battlespace
Sikorsky’s vice president and general manager Rich Benton hailed the contract as a game-changing milestone. “This multi-year deal lets us drive affordability, streamline production, and secure the supply chain,” he said, noting the importance of giving Marines “a strategic edge in a rapidly evolving battlespace.”
Equipped with three robust engines, the CH-53K can haul troops, supplies, or equipment weighing up to 36,000 pounds—enough muscle to transport armored vehicles or critical gear across combat zones.
