Watch: US Marines Received First CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter

The aircraft is the first of an expected 200 helicopters for the Marine Corps' fleet

Watch: US Marines Received First CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter

Photo: Sikorsky

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, delivered the first CH-53 King Stallion helicopter to the US Marine Corps (USMC). The aircraft is the first of an expected 200 helicopters for the Marine Corps' fleet.

This first CH53K heavy lift helicopter will be stationed at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina. There the helicopter enters into the Supportability Test Plan. US Marines will conduct a logistics assessment on the maintenance, sustainment and overall aviation logistics support of the King Stallion. This assessment also will validate maintenance procedures with Marine Corps maintainers conducting hands-on care/upkeep of the aircraft. The Supportability Test Plan will ensure readiness and support on the flightline when CH-53K helicopters enter into service with the USMC.

Sikorsky expects to deliver its second CH-53K helicopter to the USMC in early 2019.

The CH-53K test program recently completed the following milestones: maximum weight single-point cargo hook sling load of 36,000 pounds (16,329 kilograms); forward flight speed of over 200 knots; 60 degrees angle of bank turns; altitude of 18,500 feet mean sea level (MSL); 12-degree slope landings and takeoffs; external load auto-jettison; and gunfire testing.

Sikorsky is preparing its manufacturing facility in Stratford, Connecticut, to house CH-53K production beginning this summer.