Sikorsky has received a $10.3 billion contract from the U.S. Department of War—formally designated as the Department of War—for 92 CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters, reinforcing the Marine Corps’ airlift capabilities and signaling a key shift in defense policy terminology.
The award encompasses Lots 9 to 13 of the CH-53K program, providing both aircraft and program support. It stands as the largest single production increment in the program’s history and a pivotal step toward full-rate production for the Marines. The contract is structured with fixed-price incentive and firm-fixed-price elements, aligning Sikorsky’s performance and cost goals with those of the government, while transitioning major portions of the program from development risk into established production.
This multiyear award builds upon previous incremental contracts that supported the program’s ramp-up. In July 2024, the Navy issued roughly $120.3 million for long-lead components for 21 Lot 9 helicopters, followed by a $232.45 million award in February 2025 for Lot 10 materials. These smaller contracts were crucial for supply chain stabilization and production readiness. The foundational framework contract, signed in December 2023, paved the way for these successive modifications and enabled today’s comprehensive award, securing continuous procurement through Lot 13.
