CH-53K King Stallion
OEM: Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin)
First Produced: 2015
Status: Active
Role: Heavy-lift helicopter
Primary Operator: U.S. Marine Corps
OEM Website: lockheedmartin.com
The CH-53K King Stallion is the Marine Corps' new heavy-lift helicopter, replacing the CH-53E Super Stallion. The K-model nearly triples the external lift of the E-model to more than 27,000 pounds under high/hot conditions, powered by three T408 engines and a new composite rotor system.
The King Stallion is sized to move loads from ship to shore during Marine Expeditionary Unit operations and is qualified to aerial-refuel. The program declared initial operational capability in 2022; Sikorsky is ramping production at its Stratford, Connecticut and Coatesville, Pennsylvania facilities to meet Marine Corps and allied demand (Israel is the first international customer).
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