CH-53K
Abstract
The CH-53K is a next generation fly by wire heavy-lift helicopter that provides significant improvements in range, payload, performance, cargo handling, turn-around times, reliability, maintainability, interoperability and survivability. It is the only marinized heavy-lift helicopter in the world and the Department of Defense's only heavy-lift helicopter. The CH-53K mission is to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Commander by providing assault support transport of heavy equipment, combat troops, and supplies, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations. - Provides a greater payload at greater ranges than any current or emerging rotorcraft to support the rapid transition of Joint and Coalition forces from contact to blunt layer activities in a contested environment. - Addresses current connector shortfalls making it a critical enabler in the execution of distributed operations; a key component of the Marine Corps' Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations concept which supports the President's National Security Strategy, the Tri-Service Maritime Strategy and the Navy's Distributed Maritime Operational concept. - Capable of integrating into the current battlefield and taking advantage of future technologies, such as manned/unmanned teaming and MAGTF digital interoperability. - The modern fly by wire system provides greater safety, survivability, and reliability compared to other joint rotorcraft. - When compared to the legacy aircraft, improves reliability and decreases operations and support costs by reducing maintenance man hours per flight hour while maximizing work effectiveness and efficiency. Total aircraft quantities for the CH-53K program are 205 helicopters. This currently includes one Ground Test Vehicle (GTV), four Engineering Development Models (EDMs) for System Development and Demonstration (SDD), and four System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTAs) purchased with Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) funds. The remaining 196 aircraft are funded with Aircraft Procurement, Navy (APN). The CH-53K SDD program received a successful Milestone C decision on 4 April 2017. Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) completed April 2022, Initial Operating Capability (IOC) achieved in May 2022, Full Rate Production (FRP) approved in December 2022. Remaining Project Unit (PU) 3059 funding is required to complete SDD and test activities. PU 3069 began in FY2024 and established the Heavy Lift program's organic test and evaluation efforts and follow-on software development. This effort supports correction of deficiencies for fleet aircraft and developmental test to facilitate Preplanned Product Improvement (P3I) requirements and Reliability & Maintainability initiatives. JUSTIFICATION FOR BUDGET ACTIVITY: This program is funded under SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION because it includes those projects that have passed Milestone B approval and are conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to a full-rate production decision.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 0605212M_5_1319_PB_2025
- Change Summary Explanation
- Funding changes: FY25 overall increase of $46.411M: PU 3069 was increased by $50.054M to align funding for organic test and evaluation efforts and follow-on improvements. PU 3059 was reduced by by $3.643M for product development/primary hardware development to account for programmatic adjustments. Schedule changes: Updated to reflect latest delivery schedule and validation of envelope expansion.
- Service Agency Name
- Navy
Entities
Organizations
- United States Navy
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