US DoD contracts nearly 100 CH-53K helicopters for USMC and international customers
Production of the CH-53K through to 2034 has been assured with a USD10.86 billion multi-year award. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
The US Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted Lockheed Martin to build and deliver nearly 100 CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters for the US Marine Corps (USMC) and international customers.
Announced on 26 September, the USD10.86 billion award covers up to 99 helicopters to be delivered by Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky subsidiary from 2029 to 2034.
“The award will ensure consistent deliveries […], and reinforce the US industrial base by sustaining thousands of production roles at Sikorsky and across its nationwide supply chain,” Lockheed Martin said.
As noted in the announcement, the contract combines five separate aircraft orders – defined as lots 9–13 – into a five-year multi-year procurement, ensuring price predictability and a consistent flow of materials from 267 CH-53K suppliers across 37 states and 17 suppliers from eight countries.
The USMC has a Program of Record of 200 CH-53K helicopters, of which 20 have been delivered with a further 63 in various states of production. To date, Israel is the type's sole international customer, with 12 helicopters on order, the first of which has been in build since August, ahead of delivery in 2028.
For more information on the CH-53K programme, please see Pentagon Budget 2026: US Department of the Navy requests more money for fewer navy and marine corps aircraft .
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