Sikorsky has secured a $10.3 billion contract from the U.S. Department of War to produce 92 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps. The deal not only represents the program’s largest production award to date but also reinforces the Marine Corps’ long-term plans to strengthen its heavy-lift capabilities.
The contract covers aircraft procurement across Lots 9 to 13 as well as associated support. It cements the CH-53K’s path to full-rate production, shifting focus from developmental phases to mature manufacturing. The fixed-price incentive and firm-fixed-price structure ensures cost and performance accountability for both Sikorsky and the government while advancing the program at scale.
Prior to this award, the Navy and Department of War issued smaller contracts to prepare the supply chain and ensure production stability. These included $120.3 million in July 2024 to secure long-lead materials for Lot 9, followed by $232.45 million in February 2025 for Lot 10. Each of these steps was instrumental in smoothing the transition to higher-volume manufacturing.
The groundwork was laid with a December 2023 framework agreement, which allowed incremental adjustments as the program evolved. Today’s multibillion-dollar award consolidates those earlier efforts, guaranteeing procurement continuity through Lot 13 and firmly anchoring the CH-53K program in the Marine Corps’ modernization roadmap.
