Aircraft & UAVs

CH-53K King Stallion

Also known as
  • CH-53K
  • King Stallion
  • CH-53K Pereh
  • Pereh

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is the U.S. Marine Corps' new-build heavy-lift transport helicopter for replacing the CH-53E Super Stallion. Built by Sikorsky as a Lockheed Martin company, it reached Marine Corps initial operational capability in April 2022, entered full-rate production in December 2022, and is being fielded for ship-to-shore assault support, heavy equipment movement, degraded-visual-environment operations, and distributed maritime logistics.

CH-53K King Stallion, Heavy-lift transport helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: CH-53K King Stallion prepares to land at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation on 8 March 2016 (160308-M-SA716-090).jpg

Role in Conflicts

2015 Various Conflicts
Side
Unconfirmed conflict context

Public sources reviewed for this entry document CH-53K testing, fielding, exercises, readiness work, and planned deployments, but not confirmed armed-conflict employment.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Heavy-lift transport helicopter
Service note
2010s-present
Produced
2017-present; full-rate production from December 2022
Developed from
CH-53E Super Stallion

Specifications

Crew
Two pilots and 1-3 aircrewmen, mission dependent
Engines
Three T408-GE-400 turboshaft engines rated at 7,332 shp each
External lift
Maximum external lift capability of 36,000 lb (16,329 kg)
Mission radius
27,000 lb (12,247 kg) at 110 nautical miles (203 km) in Navy high/hot conditions
Dimensions
Length 99 ft 0.5 in; height 28 ft 4 in; max gross weight 88,000 lb with external load
Cargo features
Wider cabin for HMMWV-class internal loads and up to three independent external loads
Flight controls
Fly-by-wire flight controls with a CAAS glass cockpit and degraded-visual-environment modes
Program of record
U.S. Marine Corps objective of 200 CH-53K aircraft
Export And Fielding Context

The U.S. Marine Corps remains the CH-53K launch operator, while Israel selected the type as its next heavy-lift helicopter through a U.S. foreign military sales path. The Israeli aircraft are commonly associated with the Pereh name in public procurement coverage.

U.S. fielding

Lockheed Martin reported 20 aircraft delivered by September 2025, with one fleet squadron transitioned and additional aircraft in production or assembly.

Israel order

NAVAIR said Israel signed a letter of offer and acceptance for 12 CH-53K helicopters, with initial deliveries expected in 2026 under the source's schedule.

Transported Vehicles And Aircraft

Official test and training sources document the CH-53K moving vehicle and aircraft loads as part of its heavy-lift mission set.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
HMMWV, Light tactical wheeled vehicle, Armored VehiclesHMMWVLight utility vehicle

Lockheed Martin and NAVAIR describe the wider CH-53K cabin as able to carry an internally loaded HMMWV-class vehicle.

Sources: CH-53K King Stallion Flight Testing Begins Transition to Patuxent River Naval Air Station

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), 4x4 light tactical vehicle family, Armored VehiclesJoint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)Joint light tactical vehicle

NAVAIR reported a CH-53K lifting and setting down an 18,870-pound JLTV during a January 2018 demonstration.

Sources: CH-53K demonstrates vehicle lift - NAVAIR

Fennek Reconnaissance Vehicle, Armored reconnaissance vehicle, Armored VehiclesFennek Reconnaissance VehicleReconnaissance vehicle

Lockheed Martin listed the European Fennek armored vehicle among internal-load examples enabled by the CH-53K cabin.

Sources: CH-53K King Stallion Flight Testing Begins Transition to Patuxent River Naval Air Station

M777, 155 mm towed howitzer, ArtilleryM777Towed 155 mm howitzer

A DVIDS caption says a CH-53K King Stallion transported an M777 towed 155 mm howitzer during Exercise Northern Strike 24.

Sources: U.S. Marines with HMH-461 conduct M777 towed 155 mm howitzer transport during Exercise Northern Strike 24

F-35C Lightning II, Carrier-based stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-35C Lightning IICarrier-variant fighter airframe

NAVAIR documented a CH-53K external-load certification lift of a stripped, non-flyable F-35C test airframe at NAS Patuxent River.

Sources: CH-53K lifts F-35C in external load test - NAVAIR

F-35B Lightning II, STOVL stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-35B Lightning IISTOVL fighter airframe

NAVAIR reported HMH-461 transporting the inoperable BF-1 F-35B airframe to MCAS Beaufort for static-display use in August 2025.

Sources: CH-53K transports F-35 airframe - NAVAIR

Payload boundary

These entries document test, certification, and exercise loads rather than armed-conflict employment.

Sources: CH-53K lifts F-35C in external load test - NAVAIR, CH-53K approved for full rate production - NAVAIR

Aerial Refueling Support

The CH-53K is designed for long-range Marine assault-support logistics and has demonstrated probe-and-drogue refueling with Marine tanker aircraft.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
KC-130J Hercules, Marine Corps tanker-transport aircraft with former Harvest HAWK armed mission kit, Aircraft & UAVsKC-130J HerculesTanker transport aircraft

NAVAIR reported CH-53K wake and aerial-refueling testing behind a KC-130J over the Chesapeake Bay.

Sources: CH-53K demonstrates successful air refueling tests - NAVAIR

Timeline

CH-53K King Stallion Key Events

  1. First flight

    The CH-53K King Stallion took to the skies for its first flight at Sikorsky's test center in West Palm Beach.

    Sources: CH-53K King Stallion: 10 Years since First Flight - NAVAIR

  2. Low-rate initial production approved

    The CH-53K program passed Milestone C and moved into low-rate initial production.

    Sources: CH-53K King Stallion Flight Testing Begins Transition to Patuxent River Naval Air Station

  3. First sea trials

    The helicopter completed two weeks of sea trials aboard USS Wasp, including launch and recovery, blade fold, and shipboard compatibility testing.

    Sources: CH-53K King Stallion completes first sea trials | NAVAIR

  4. First operational squadron flight

    Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 performed the first operational squadron flight with the CH-53K at Marine Corps Air Station New River.

    Sources: CH-53K King Stallion's first operational squadron flight - Marines.mil

  5. Initial operational capability

    The Marine Corps announced initial operational capability for the CH-53K King Stallion.

    Sources: Marine Corps declares IOC for CH-53K King Stallion

  6. Full-rate production authorized

    NAVAIR said the CH-53K entered full-rate production and its deployment phase after the acquisition decision memorandum was signed.

    Sources: CH-53K approved for full rate production - NAVAIR

  7. Multi-year procurement contract

    NAVAIR and Lockheed Martin announced a five-year Sikorsky contract covering up to 99 CH-53K helicopters.

    Sources: CH-53K Program Enters Multi-Year Procurement Contract with Sikorsky - NAVAIR, Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Receives Five-Year Contract to Build Up to 99 CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters

Media

CH-53K King Stallion Videos

CH-53K King Stallion Images

CH-53K King Stallion, Heavy-lift transport helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: CH-53K King Stallion helicopter at the 2018 Berlin Air Show.jpg
CH-53K King Stallion, Heavy-lift transport helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: Lockheed Martin KC-130J of VMGR-252 refuels Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion over Chesapeake Bay on 6 April 2020 (200406-N-ZB537-001).JPG
Related Weapon Systems
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KC-130J Hercules, Marine Corps tanker-transport aircraft with former Harvest HAWK armed mission kit, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsKC-130J HerculesMarine Corps tanker-transport aircraft with former Harvest HAWK armed mission kitThe KC-130J Hercules is the U.S. Marine Corps' Lockheed Martin-built C-130J tanker-transport variant for tactical refueling, assault support, airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and related battlefield support. Its former Harvest HAWK mission kit turned selected aircraft into armed overwatch platforms with sensors and AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-176 Griffin missiles, a configuration documented in Afghanistan combat use and later retired as Marine Corps requirements shifted.
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Sources

CH-53K King Stallion | NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports CH-53K mission, contractor, dimensions, lift capacity, crew, and program status. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K King Stallion > United States Navy > Display-FactFilesPublisher: United States Navy | Note: Supports CH-53K background, lift capability, shipboard role, and service description. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K King Stallion: 10 Years since First Flight - NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports CH-53K first-flight timeline and program maturity context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K King Stallion completes first sea trials | NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports CH-53K sea-trials timeline and shipboard compatibility testing. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Marine Corps declares IOC for CH-53K King StallionPublisher: United States Marine Corps | Note: Supports CH-53K initial operational capability and Marine Corps operational context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K King Stallion's first operational squadron flight - Marines.milPublisher: United States Marine Corps | Note: Supports CH-53K first operational squadron flight and HMH-461 modernization context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K King Stallion prepares to land at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation on 8 March 2016 (160308-M-SA716-090).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing context for the primary CH-53K image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K King Stallion completes first sea trials at the deck of the USS Wasp.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing context for the sea-trials image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K King Stallion helicopter at the 2018 Berlin Air Show.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing context for the Berlin Air Show image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Lockheed Martin KC-130J of VMGR-252 refuels Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion over Chesapeake Bay on 6 April 2020 (200406-N-ZB537-001).JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing context for the aerial-refueling image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K demonstrates vehicle lift - NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports CH-53K lifting a JLTV during a vehicle-lift demonstration and the 18,870-pound vehicle figure. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Marines with HMH-461 conduct M777 towed 155 mm howitzer transport during Exercise Northern Strike 24Publisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports CH-53K carriage of an M777 towed 155 mm howitzer during Exercise Northern Strike 24. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K King Stallion Flight Testing Begins Transition to Patuxent River Naval Air StationPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Milestone C, low-rate initial production, HMMWV/Fennek internal-load examples, wider cabin context, and three independent external loads. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K lifts F-35C in external load test - NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports CH-53K external-load certification lift of a non-flyable F-35C airframe, 27,000-pound cleared lift status, and 2022 full-rate production/deployment phase context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K transports F-35 airframe - NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports CH-53K transport of the inoperable BF-1 F-35B airframe to MCAS Beaufort and TRAP mission context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K demonstrates successful air refueling tests - NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports CH-53K aerial-refueling wake testing behind a KC-130J tanker. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K approved for full rate production - NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports CH-53K full-rate production authorization, deployment-phase entry, and CH-53E transition context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CH-53K Program Enters Multi-Year Procurement Contract with Sikorsky - NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports the 2025 multi-year procurement contract for up to 99 CH-53K helicopters. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Receives Five-Year Contract to Build Up to 99 CH-53K Heavy Lift HelicoptersPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the 2025 contract, delivered/in-production aircraft counts, one transitioned fleet squadron, and 200-aircraft program of record. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Israel to purchase CH-53K King Stallion - NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports Israel's letter of offer and acceptance for 12 CH-53K helicopters and the reported initial-delivery schedule. | Accessed: 2026-07-04