FY21 CH-53K King Stallion order
On 25 June 2021, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford (CT) was awarded a USD 735,9 modification contract that increases the scope for nine Lot 5 low-rate initial production (LRIP) CH-53K King Stallions with associated aircraft, programmatic and logistical support.
The nine King Stallions, destined for the US Marine Corps, are expected to be completed in December 2024 and are part of the US Navy Fiscal Year 2021 aircraft procurement funds.
The contract also provides a sentence in which Sikorsky must bring down the King Stallion cost of each heavy-lift helicopter. The manufacturer is gaining more experience building them, so they will manage that.
On top of that, the US Navy is taking an option for a Lot 6 contract (must be executed not later than February 2022) that includes another nine helicopters. The Lot 5 King Stallions will cost some USD 97,6 million apiece (helicopter without engine or other government-furnished equipment), the Lot 6 will bring that amount down to USD 94,7 million. NAVAIR reported that the Lot 4 helicopters were USD 102,1 million apiece. Earlier Lots saw prices of USD 148 million per CH-53K!
The latest LRIP will bring the total ordered CH-53Ks to 33 airframes, first deliveries took place in October 2020. The USMC plans to buy 200 King Stallions.
Photo by USMC by Lance Cpl. Molly Hampton