As part of its aviation modernization plan, the U.S. Marine Corps is now operating a fleet of 18 Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopters. According to the manufacturer, this number will continue to grow in the coming months, as another 74 aircraft are currently in production or under contract.

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is part of the Marines’ Force Design initiative, contributing to the service’s new and emerging capabilities. The helicopter’s incorporation is one of the most significant defense acquisition programs, with a budget of $26.6 billion for procurement and $8.1 billion for research, development, testing, and evaluation.
According to the Department of Defense Inspector General, the U.S. Marine Corps plans to add at least 182 more CH-53Ks, “…with an average acquisition cost of $135.8 million per unit. The CH-53K is expected to have a service life of 30 to 40 years… the Department of the Navy has estimated that operating and maintaining the CH-53K fleet will cost $63 billion.”

The CH-53K is a heavy-lift transport helicopter designed to replace the CH-53E Super Stallion. With the King Stallion, “…the U.S. Marine Corps will enhance the fleet’s ability to move more material, faster, across the area of responsibility using proven and mature technologies.”
The CH-53K is designed to carry 12,247 kg within a 110-nautical-mile (203 km) mission radius in Hot and High operational environments, a capability nearly three times that of the CH-53E Super Stallion. The King Stallion was also designed to take up less space on Navy ships, with lower operational costs per aircraft and reduced direct maintenance hours per flight hour.
Some of the CH-53K King Stallion’s transport capabilities include moving up to two armored HMMWVs or a variant of the LAV combat vehicle in high-temperature conditions. Thanks to its cabin section being 12 inches wider than the CH-53E, the King Stallion can also internally carry an HMMWV or transport two 10,000 lb AMC 463L pallets.

Cover image: USMC – Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo
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