The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Sikorsky lands $107M contract
Stratford firm to do early work for USMC helicopters
Stratfordbased Sikorsky has secured another contract for its ongoing work on the CH53K King Stallion.
The Lockheed Martin subsidiary was recently awarded a $107 million contract for early work on the machine slated to replace the U.S. Marine Corps’ outdated fleet of heavylift helicopters. The oneyear contract will cover delivery of long lead items for six lowrate initial production, LRIP, lot 4 helicopters.
“Sikorsky employees and our nationwide supply chain are ready to ramp up CH53K production to support deployment of this modern, safe and reliable aircraft in 20232024,” said Sikorsky CH53K Program Director Bill Falk in an emailed statement to Hearst Connecticut Media. “This contract demonstrates the U.S. Marine Corps’ confidence in Sikorsky to expand production of this technologically advanced heavy lift helicopter.”
Long lead items are traditionally funded early in the aircraft design process because they are time consuming to get. The early order is meant to keep production on schedule.
Sikorsky was awarded a $1.1 billion contract in May as part of a larger order of 200 King Stallions. The Pentagon will award the money in stages to Sikorsky and parent Lockheed Martin, including $509 million for the current fiscal year and $617 million in the following year.
Sikorsky is expected to begin deliveries of a dozen CH53K helicopters in 2022 and provide spare parts and support.
The company delivered an initial model of the aircraft to the Marines roughly a year ago as part of a 2013 contract.
The new order is the fourth group of King Stallions ordered by the U.S. Navy. Sikorsky will conduct work on the helicopters in its Stratford facility.
“Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky and its suppliers have made significant investments in facilities, machinery, tooling and workforce training to rampup production required for the CH53K program,” Falk said. “We have transformed our factory for the future and implemented a model for all future helicopter programs.”
Helicopter programs at Sikorsky declined by roughly $115 million in the second quarter, according to earnings reports released in July.
The lull came primarily from the Sikorsky’s Black Hawk production, combat rescue helicopter program and commercial aircraft services.
Production of the CH53K is expected to be a major job creator and economic driver for the company.
The King Stallion is designed as a heavylift cargo and troop transport that can fly higher and farther than existing helicopters already in use in the Department of Defense, and with far heavier cargoes.
The helicopter was flown at more than 230 miles per hour while banking at sharp angles, attaining an altitude of 18,500 feet and lifting an external load weighing 18 tons.
Work for the current contract is expected to be completed in August 2020.