The U.S. Department of War—now officially titled the Department of War—has awarded Sikorsky a $10.3 billion contract for 92 CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters. The deal is designed to enhance the Marine Corps’ airlift capabilities and reflects a notable evolution in U.S. defense policy nomenclature.
The contract covers 92 CH-53K helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps across Lots 9 through 13, including both aircraft and programmatic support. It represents the largest single production increment in the CH-53K program to date and marks a key milestone toward full-rate production for the Marines. The award uses a mix of fixed-price incentive and firm-fixed-price arrangements, aligning Sikorsky’s and the government’s incentives on performance, cost, and schedule, while shifting major portions of the program from development risk to mature production.
This contract builds on earlier incremental awards that sustained the program during its ramp-up phase. In July 2024, the Navy allocated approximately $120.3 million for long-lead items for 21 Lot 9 helicopters, followed by a $232.45 million award in February 2025 to procure materials for Lot 10. These steps were essential for stabilizing supply chains and preparing for mass production. The initial framework contract, signed in December 2023, laid the foundation for these successive modifications and enabled the current multiyear award, ensuring procurement continuity through Lot 13.
