Start Articles Armament CH-53K Completes IOT&E

CLB-24 Conducts Ship to Shore HST Training with CH-53K — U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group watch a CH-53K King Stallion take off during a Helicopter Support Team operation at Tactical Landing Zone Albatross on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 20, 2021.The CH-53K is currently undergoing initial operational test and evaluation to develop tactics, techniques, and procedures of CH-53K utilization as the Marine Corps modernizes and prepares to respond globally to emerging crises or contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Meshaq Hylton)

CH-53K Completes IOT&E

Gerhard Heiming

22. March 2022

The US Marine Corps’ CH-53K programme reached an important milestone in early March. The project phase “Initial Operational Test and Evaluation” (IOT&E) was successfully completed, manufacturer Lockheed Martin announced. This has created an important prerequisite for achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC). To meet this criterion, the squadron must have four CH-53K helicopters with combat-ready personnel, as well as support equipment, including spares, repair support and training curriculum.

During the IOT&E phase, the helicopter underwent intensive testing in numerous Marine Corps-specific missions under battlefield conditions. According to Naval Air Systems Command (NavAir), these included:

operations in degraded visibility conditions
take-offs and landings from and on naval vessels
ramp and door firing
aerial refuelling of helicopters in both day and night

In a second phase of the IOT&E, the helicopter will be further tested to gather insights as the basis for a full assessment of the survivability of the CH-53K against operational threats. The requested funding of US$257M has been allocated for this purpose.

Approval for series production is expected in November, followed by crossing the Full Rate Production (FRP) threshold in May 2023.