CH-53K

Navy Approves CH-53K Heavy-Lift Helicopter for Full-Rate Production

U.S. Marines with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) test the capabilities of the CH-53K King Stallion on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune on Dec. 16, 2021. US Marine Corps Photo

The Marine Corps’ new heavy-lift helicopter is now in the full-rate production stage of the program, the Navy announced last week.

The new stage comes after acting Navy acquisition chief Jay Stefany performed a program assessment and signed a Dec. 21 memo permitting the CH-53K King Stallion to...

https://news.usni.org/2022/12/28/navy-approves-ch-53k-heavy-lift-helicopter-for-full-rate-production

Top Stories 2022: U.S. Marine Corps Acquisition

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 24 attach a Light Armored Vehicle 25 to a CH-53K King Stallion helicopter’s lift hooks at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., on April 27, 2022. US Marine Corps Photo

This post is part of a series looking back at the top naval stories from 2022.

The Marine Corps is still pursuing Commandant Gen. David Berger’s overhaul to modernize the force, which includes preparing Marines to operate in the Indo-Pacific region against a competitor like China...

https://news.usni.org/2022/12/22/top-stories-2022-u-s-marine-corps-acquisition

Semper Wi-Fi: New Marine Aviation Plan Pushes Digital Connections Between Far-flung Forces

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B aircraft mechanic Lance Cpl. William Wiggins assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, currently attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), monitors an F-35B aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), in the Philippine Sea on Aug. 18, 2021. US Marine Corps Photo

THE PENTAGON — Key to Marines’ latest aviation plan is using the service’s aircraft to keep small units spread across small islands in the...

https://news.usni.org/2022/05/03/semper-wi-fi-new-marine-aviation-plan-pushes-digital-connections-between-far-flung-forces

Israel Signs Deal to Buy CH-53K Heavy-Lift Helicopters

An artist rendering of a CH-53K helicopter in Israeli Air Force livery. Sikorsky Photo

Israel late last month reached a deal to buy Lockheed Martin-owned Sikorsky’s heavy-lift helicopter, with the first aircraft slated for delivery in 2025, the Navy announced this week.

The U.S. and Israel signed a letter on Dec. 30 achieving the deal for the Israeli Air Force to buy the CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, Naval Air Systems Command announced in a Tuesday news release.

“The signed agreement states...

https://news.usni.org/2022/01/05/israel-signs-deal-to-buy-ch-53k-heavy-lift-helicopters

Marines Say Unit Costs for CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter Dropping

CH-53K, K3, piloted by Mr. Rob Pupalaikis and Maj. Joshua Foxton, flies an aerial refueling test with an external load on Sept. 28, 2020, from NAS Patuxent River, MD. Sikorsky Photo.

The Marine Corps’ top aviation officer assured a key House panel this week that the unit costs of the CH-53K King Sea Stallion helicopter are dropping significantly.

Major problems such as engine gas re-ingestion are being fixed and readiness rates for test aircraft are all moving in the right direction, Lt. Gen....

https://news.usni.org/2021/07/05/marines-say-unit-costs-for-ch-53k-heavy-lift-helicopter-dropping

Marine Corps Conducting Fleet Flight Tests of CH-53K Ahead of IOT&E This Summer

CH-53K, K3, piloted by Mr. Rob Pupalaikis and Maj. Joshua Foxton, flies an aerial refueling test with an external load on Sept. 28, 2020, from NAS Patuxent River, MD. Sikorsky Photo.

Operational test Marines have begun flying the new CH-53K ahead of this summer’s planned test event to bring the heavy lift helicopter to initial operational capability, the Navy’s program manager said today.

Marine Corps Col. Jack Perrin, the heavy lift helicopter program manager at Naval Air Systems Command, said...

https://news.usni.org/2021/02/24/marine-corps-conducting-fleet-flight-tests-of-ch-53k-ahead-of-iote-this-summer

Top Stories 2020: Marine Corps Acquisition

The Bell V-247 tiltrotor is an unmanned aerial system (UAS) that will combine the vertical lift capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft, and would provide long-endurance persistent expeditionary and surveillance and fires capabilities. The Marines had been considering this type of capability for their shipboard Group 5 UAS program, MUX, before the program was restructured in mid 2020. Bell Image

This post is part of a series of stories looking...

https://news.usni.org/2020/12/29/top-stories-2020-marine-corps-acquisition

Last Piece of CH-53K Helicopter Trainer Triad Declared ‘Ready for Training’

Marine Corps aviators in the CH-53K Containerized Flight Training Device (CFTD) experience a highly immersive virtual environment. Sikorsky photo.

The final of three CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter trainers has been declared “ready for training,” and an industry/government team next month will begin training the squadron that will conduct the new helo’s initial operational test and evaluation.

The Composite Maintenance Trainer (CMT) just recently reached RFT, Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky announced...

https://news.usni.org/2020/12/02/last-piece-of-ch-53k-helicopter-trainer-triad-declared-ready-for-training

Navy Issues Sikorsky $550.4 Million Modification for 6 CH-53Ks

The CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter conducted sea trials aboard USS Wasp (LHD-1) in the Mid-Atlantic from June 8 – 21, 2020. US Navy photo.

The Navy has issued Lockheed Martin-owned Sikorsky a $550.4 million contract modification for the next lot of the Marine Corps’ new heavy-lift helicopter.

The Navy awarded Sikorsky the funds for six CH-53K King Stallions as part of lot 4 of the program’s low-rate initial production phase, according to an Oct. 26 Pentagon contract announcement.

“The...

https://news.usni.org/2020/10/27/navy-issues-sikorsky-550-4-million-modification-for-6-ch-53ks

VIDEO: Marines Pleased With CH-53K Success During Sea Trials Aboard USS Wasp

The CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter conducted sea trials aboard USS Wasp (LHD-1) in the Mid-Atlantic from June 8 – 21, 2020. US Navy photo.

The Marine Corps wrapped up its first sea trials with the new CH-53K King Stallion, crossing off one of the last big items on the to-do list before the heavy lift helicopter program can turn the aircraft over to the fleet for operational tests and a 2023 first deployment.

The 53K operated from USS Wasp (LHD-1) at sea from June 8 to 21, conducting...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/25/video-marines-pleased-with-ch-53k-success-during-sea-trials-aboard-uss-wasp

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