Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Receives Five-Year Contract to Build Up to 99 CH-53K® Heavy Lift Helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps

Rhea-AI Summary

Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky (NYSE: LMT) has secured a significant $10.855 billion contract from the U.S. Navy to manufacture up to 99 CH-53K® King Stallion® helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps. The five-year multi-year procurement contract, spanning from 2029 to 2034, represents the largest-quantity order for these aircraft to date.

The contract combines Lots 9-13 and involves 267 suppliers across 37 states and 17 international suppliers from 8 countries. Sikorsky has already delivered 20 CH-53K aircraft to the Marine Corps, with 63 additional aircraft currently in production. The U.S. Marine Corps' Program of Record maintains its target of 200 CH-53K aircraft in total.

Positive

• Massive $10.855 billion contract value secured
• Largest-quantity order to date for CH-53K helicopters
• Contract ensures stable production and deliveries over 5 years
• Strengthens U.S. industrial base and sustains thousands of production jobs
• Multi-year procurement enables better pricing and cost savings

Negative

• Long delivery timeline extending to 2034
• Complex supply chain dependency across 267 suppliers in 37 states

News Market Reaction

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+0.93% News Effect

On the day this news was published, LMT gained 0.93%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

  Multi-year award will help stabilize U.S. industrial base, ensure consistent aircraft deliveries  

STRATFORD, Conn., Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), received a $10.855 billion contract from the U.S. Navy to build up to a maximum of 99 CH-53K^® King Stallion^® helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps over five years, the largest-quantity order to date for the aircraft. The award will ensure consistent deliveries of the United States' most powerful heavy-lift helicopter between 2029 and 2034 and reinforce the U.S. industrial base by sustaining thousands of production roles at Sikorsky and across its nationwide supply chain.   

"This award reflects trust and confidence in Sikorsky to deliver these technologically advanced, heavy-lift helicopters that will revolutionize the Marine Corps' operational capabilities by adding unrivaled power, performance, survivability and dependability to the fleet," said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. "The multi-year contract enables Sikorsky to partner with the Department of the Navy to drive long-term affordability, optimize production efficiencies and stabilize our supply chain and workforce, ensuring the Marines maintain the strategic advantage with the CH-53K in a rapidly evolving battlespace."  

The contract combines five separate aircraft orders — defined as Lots 9-13 — into a five-year multi-year procurement, ensuring price predictability and consistent flow of materials from 267 CH-53K suppliers across 37 states, and 17 suppliers from eight countries. The contract allows the U.S. Government to buy up to 99 CH-53K aircraft for the Marine Corps or to fulfill orders from international military customers.  

Sikorsky has delivered 20 CH-53K aircraft to the Marine Corps. An additional 63 aircraft (Lots 4-8) are in various stages of production and assembly.  

"This contract represents a huge 'win' for the entire CH-53K team," said Col. Kate Fleeger, Program Manager, H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopter Program Office (PMA-261). "The contract allows Sikorsky to bundle purchase orders from suppliers to achieve better pricing and pass the savings on to the government, giving us the ability to provide dependable delivery to the fleet and a consistent and predictable timeline for the transition from the CH-53E to the CH-53K."  

To date, the U.S. Marine Corps has transitioned one CH-53K fleet squadron, and has CH-53K aircraft flying at one developmental test squadron, one operational test squadron and one training squadron to support operational requirements.  

Sikorsky designed the CH-53K helicopter to meet the Marine Corps' lift requirements for today's battlefield — to transport troops, supplies and heavy equipment forces across a contested environment — and survive.    

The Department of the Navy declared Full Rate Production for the CH-53K program in December 2022. The U.S. Marine Corps' Program of Record remains at 200 CH-53K aircraft. 

For more information, visit: www.lockheedmartin.com/ch-53k; and NAVAIR. 

CH-53K^® and KING STALLION ^® are trademarks of the Department of the Navy. 

About Lockheed Martin 

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security^® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.  

 

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Corporation

FAQ

What is the value of Lockheed Martin's (LMT) new CH-53K helicopter contract?

The contract is valued at $10.855 billion to build up to 99 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps over five years.

How many CH-53K helicopters has Sikorsky delivered to the Marine Corps so far?

Sikorsky has delivered 20 CH-53K aircraft to the Marine Corps, with 63 additional aircraft currently in various stages of production and assembly.

What is the total number of CH-53K helicopters planned for the U.S. Marine Corps?

The U.S. Marine Corps' Program of Record maintains its target of 200 CH-53K aircraft in total.

When will Lockheed Martin deliver the CH-53K helicopters under this new contract?

The deliveries under this contract will occur between 2029 and 2034.

How many suppliers are involved in the CH-53K helicopter production?

The production involves 267 suppliers across 37 U.S. states, plus 17 suppliers from 8 different countries.