Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky subsidiary has won a $2.7 billion contract from the U.S. Navy to build 35 CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters. The contract includes options that could bring the total value to $3.5 billion. The CH-53K is the successor to the CH-53E Super Stallion, which has been in service since the 1970s. The new helicopter will be larger and more powerful than the Super Stallion, and it will be equipped with a new suite of avionics and weapons systems.
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The CH-53K is expected to enter service in the early 2020s. It will be used by the U.S. Marine Corps to transport troops and equipment, and it will also be used for search and rescue missions. The contract award is a major win for Sikorsky, which has been facing competition from Boeing for the CH-53K contract. The award is also a boost for the U.S. Navy, which has been looking to modernize its helicopter fleet.
The CH-53K is a significant upgrade over the CH-53E. It is larger and more powerful, and it has a longer range and payload capacity. The CH-53K is also equipped with a new suite of avionics and weapons systems, which will make it more capable of carrying out a variety of missions. The CH-53K is expected to be a valuable asset to the U.S. Navy. It will help the Navy to transport troops and equipment more quickly and efficiently, and it will also be able to perform search and rescue missions in more difficult conditions.
The contract award is a positive development for the U.S. defense industry. It shows that the Navy is committed to modernizing its helicopter fleet, and it also provides a boost to Sikorsky, which is a major player in the defense industry. The CH-53K is a significant achievement for Sikorsky. It is the company's most advanced helicopter to date, and it is sure to play a major role in the U.S. military for many years to come.