New order for USMC King Stallions

On 26 October 2020, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, part of the Lockheed Martin company, and based in Stratford (CT) was awarded a USD 550 million modification contract on a previous contract.

The modification contains the delivery of six CH-53K King Stallion Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot IV for the US Marine Corps. The six helicopters will be delivered by July 2024 and are part of the Fiscal 2020 and 2021 aircraft procurement (US Navy) funds.

Early October 2020, it was expected that the USMC was assigning a contract for twenty CH-53Ks with fundings to procure another seven in early 2021. But apparently plans have changed or future orders will be announced soon.

The USMC plans to buy 200 King Stallions. The King's maiden deployment is scheduled for late 2023, early 2024. As it will take a while before all 200 CH-53Ks are delivered, the USMC will update a large part of the existing 142 CH-53E Sea Stallions. With this update, the Echo's will be kept relevant until the King Stallion is delivered in sufficient numbers.

During depot level maintenance, the CH-53E fleet will be provided with new General Electric T64 engines, improved and new avionica as well as new fuselage structures.

Photo: USMC