Sikorsky awarded USD 10.9 billion multi-year procurement deal to build up to 99 CH-53Ks

Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky business announced on 26 September 2025 that it has received a USD 10.855 billion (EUR 9.25 billion) contract from the US Navy to build up to a maximum of 99 CH-53K King Stallion heavylift helicopters for the US Marine Corps (USMC) over five years.

The contract combines five separate aircraft orders – defined as Lots 9-13 – into a five-year multi-year procurement, ensuring price predictability and consistent flow of materials from 267 programme suppliers across 37 states and 17 suppliers from eight countries. The contract allows the US government to buy up to 99 CH-53K aircraft for the USMC or to fulfill orders from international military customers.

According to a press release from Naval Air Systems Command, the CH-53K multi-year procurement contract will provide USD 1.5 billion in savings from 2025-2029.

Sikorsky has so far delivered 20 CH-53K helicopters to the USMC, while an additional 63 aircraft (Lots 4-8) are in various stages of production and assembly.  The USMC declared initial operational capability (IOC) with the CH-53K King Stallion on 22 April 2022, with the Department of the Navy declaring a full-rate production decision for the CH-53K programme in December 2022. The type is on track for its first Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployment in FY27.

The CH-53K is replacing the CH-53E Super Stallion as the only marinised heavylift rotary-wing aircraft in the US defence inventory.

Colonel Kate Fleeger, the programme manager within the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopter Program Office (PMA-261), was quoted by Lockheed Martin as saying, “This contract represents a huge ‘win’ for the entire CH-53K team. The contract allows Sikorsky to bundle purchase orders from suppliers to achieve better pricing and pass the savings on to the government, giving us the ability to provide dependable delivery to the fleet and a consistent and predictable timeline for the transition from the CH-53E to the CH-53K.”

Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager, stated, “This award reflects trust and confidence in Sikorsky to deliver these technologically advanced, heavylift helicopters that will revolutionise the Marine Corps’ operational capabilities by adding unrivalled power, performance, survivability and dependability to the fleet. The multi-year contract enables Sikorsky to partner with the Department of the Navy to drive long-term affordability, optimise production efficiencies and stabilise our supply chain and workforce, ensuring the Marines maintain the strategic advantage with the CH-53K in a rapidly evolving battlespace.”

To date, the USMC has transitioned one CH-53K fleet squadron and has CH-53K aircraft flying at one developmental test squadron, one operational test squadron and one training squadron to support operational requirements.

The USMC’s programme of record for the CH-53K remains at 200 aircraft.