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Sikorsky wins five-year $11 billion US Marine Corps contract for CH-53K helicopters

29th September 2025 - 13:55 GMT | by Lucy Powell in London, UK

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The US Marine Corps currently has 20 CH-53K in its fleet. (Photo: Lockheed Martin Sikorsky)

The follow-on order for CH-53K helicopters is the largest one to date for the type and will see deliveries carried out from 2029 to 2034.

Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky has been awarded a nearly US$11 billion contract from the US Navy to build up to 99 CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters for the US Marine Corps (USMC).

The contract is the largest order for the CH-53K aircraft to date, with the USMC planning to eventually procure up to 200 aircraft. Currently, there are 20 CH-53K in service with the marines and the aircraft is on track for its first deployment in FY2027, according to the US Navy (USN).

An additional 63 aircraft are in “various stages of production and assembly” according to Lockheed Martin.

According to Sikorsky,

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