The United States Marine Corps (USMC) once again tested the capabilities of its most modern heavy-lift helicopter, the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, by successfully completing the transfer of an inoperative F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter. The operation took place on August 27, when a CH-53K from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461) transported the fuselage of the F-35B “BF-1” from Naval Air Station Patuxent River (Maryland) to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort (South Carolina), where it will be displayed as a permanent static exhibit.
The “BF-1” holds historic value for the Joint Strike Fighter program, as it was the first F-35 to perform a vertical landing. For this mission, the aircraft was stripped of its mission systems, propulsion, outer wings, and other equipment, reducing its weight to about 22,000 pounds (9,980 kg). The CH-53K completed the transfer with ample power and range margin, demonstrating its ability to carry out Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) missions, one of its essential roles.
This is not the first time the King Stallion has performed such a task. In May 2024, another CH-53K transported the fuselage of a U.S. Navy F-35C, also from Patuxent River, in an operation that validated its lift capacity and potential as a logistics platform in high-demand scenarios. In both cases, coordination among units, agencies, and test centers was key to the mission’s success.
Currently, the Marine Corps operates 18 CH-53K helicopters, with plans to acquire more than 180 additional units in the coming years. Designed to replace the veteran CH-53E Super Stallion, the King Stallion can carry up to 27,000 pounds (12,247 kg) within a 110-nautical-mile (203 km) mission radius under “hot and high” conditions, nearly tripling the capacity of its predecessor. Moreover, its shipboard-optimized design, reduced logistical footprint, and digital flight systems make it a central element in modernizing Marine assault aviation.
Meanwhile, the CH-53K fleet has already begun its major maintenance cycle, with the first aircraft entering the inspection program at Fleet Readiness Center East this year. This process will provide data to adjust maintenance plans throughout its expected 30- to 40-year service life. With missions such as the transportation of the F-35B “BF-1,” the King Stallion reaffirms its role as the most advanced heavy-lift helicopter in the Department of Defense and a strategic asset for distributed operations and contested maritime environments.
Related: USMC F-35B fighters to integrate with the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales air wing
