The U.S. Marine Corps heavy raise helicopter, manufactured by Lockheed Martin‘s Sikorsky subsidiary, has been deployed to its first fleet train in Mountain House, Idaho.
Marines assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 practiced exterior lifts with the CH-53K King Stallion, which was designed with elevated raise capability than its predecessor, the service department stated Thursday.
Employees Sgt. James Ganieany, airframes division chief for HMH-461, stated the squadron has been coaching with the CH-53K because it performed its first operational flight for the heavy-lift army helicopter in April.
The Marine Corps declared preliminary operational functionality for the CH-53K program in April, paving the best way for a full-rate manufacturing choice in 2023.
Lockheed stated the service department plans to purchase as many as 200 CH-53Ks by means of the “Accredited Acquisition Goal.”
