Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, delivered two CH-53K helicopters to the US Marine Corps in the last quarter of 2022. These CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters join seven helicopters already in operation at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

“Sikorsky employees are using advanced technologies to manufacture the CH-53K helicopter, which enhances the capabilities and survivability of the US Marine Corps,” said Bill Falk, Sikorsky CH-53K Program Director. “Thanks to the CH-53K’s transformative technologies, more is possible for the Marine Corps and our allies while deterring threats in the changing battlefield environment.” 

The US Navy declared full speed production for the CH-53K program in December 2022. This decision is expected to increase production to more than 20 helicopters per year in the coming years. Sikorsky supplies long-term products and critical materials to support the full speed of production of the CH-53K in its digital factory.

For pilots like Marine Corps Captain Chris Vanderweerd, the system provides more predictable and stable control responses to improve safety and mission effectiveness.

Vanderweerd, of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, said: “We can take up to 30 fully loaded Marines and get them in a timely and [safe] area where they don’t have to risk going by convoy. We can shorten it.”