STRATFORD, Conn., Oct. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky, a
Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT) will build six additional
production CH-53K King Stallion
helicopters under a new contract for the U.S. Navy. The aircraft
will further support the U.S. Marine Corps in its mission to
conduct expeditionary heavy-lift assault transport of armored
vehicles, equipment and personnel to support distributed operations
deep inland from a sea-based center of operations.
The six helicopters are part of 200 aircraft Program of Record
for the U.S. Marine Corps, and their addition makes a total of 24
CH-53K production aircraft now under contract. Under the terms of
this most recent contract – known as Low Rate Initial
Production (LRIP) Lot 4 – Sikorsky will begin deliveries of the six
aircraft in January 2024.
"This contract award is a testament to the government's
confidence in the CH-53K platform. This award shows that we are
working hard to make the aircraft more affordable," said Major
General Greg Masiello, program
executive office, air ASW, assault and special mission programs.
"The capability and affordability of the CH-53K is important to
ensure that we provide a valuable addition to the United States Marine Corps and our friends
and allies."
King Stallion Production Marches Ahead
The CH-53K program has five aircraft on the line at Sikorsky
facilities in Connecticut and
over two dozen in various stages of production. The program
will deliver the first low rate initial production aircraft in
September 2021.
Sikorsky and its suppliers have made significant investments in
facilities, machinery, tooling, and workforce training to ramp up
production required for the CH-53K program. For example, for the
first time, newly installed 10-ton cranes lifted a 12,000 lb.
gearbox into a CH-53K production aircraft.
"The production of this CH-53K helicopter represents a new era
in capabilities, technologies, safety and mission flexibility for
the U.S. Marine Corps. Sikorsky is committed to supporting the
Marine Corps to maximize the benefits of this all new helicopter,"
said Bill Falk, Sikorsky CH-53K
program director.
"Pilots are already training on state-of-the art flight training
devices to prepare in a safe, cost-effective manner for operational
deployment," Falk said.
CH-53K Proving Capabilities
The CH-53K is also nearing the conclusion of the developmental
flight test events in preparation for Initial Operational Test
& Evaluation (IOT&E), having flown more than 2,000 flight
hours validating the aircraft's performance on a ship and in both
hot and cold environments. This year, the aircraft completed:
- Air-to-air refueling with an external load
- Initial sea trials
- Flight tests in extremely hot and dusty conditions at U.S. Army
Yuma Proving Ground in Yuma,
Arizona
Other accomplishments include:
- Maximum weight single-point cargo hook sling load of 36,000
pounds (16,329 kilograms)
- Forward flight speed of over 150 knots
- 60-degree angle-of-bank turns
- Altitude of 18,500 feet mean sea level (MSL)
- 12-degree slope landings and takeoffs
- External load auto-jettison
- Gunfire testing
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
For additional information, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com.
Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest
announcements and news across the corporation.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-navy-awards-sikorsky-contract-to-build-six-more-ch-53k-heavy-lift-helicopters-301162115.html
SOURCE Lockheed Martin Corporation