Sikorsky Aircraft, the Stratford-based helicopter manufacturer, has been awarded a nearly $11 billion contract with the U.S. Navy in a major win for the state.
The Connecticut helicopter manufacturer, a Lockheed Martin company, received a $10.8 billion contract this week from the U.S. Navy to produce up to 99 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps over five years, according to the company.
The CH-53K is the most powerful heavy-lift helicopter in the U.S. military and is designed to transport Marines, heavy equipment and supplies from Naval ships to shore in support of global operations, according to the U.S. Navy. The CH-53K, which can carry up to 27,000 pounds, is the replacement for the CH-53E.
“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 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. military to buy up to 99 CH-53K aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps or to fulfill orders from international military customers, according to Sikorsky.
“This blockbuster $10.3 billion is a major win for Sikorsky & their incredibly talented workforce. I’m thrilled to see this historic investment in CT made helicopters—the world’s finest,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal posted on X.
Sikorsky said they designed the CH-53K helicopter to meet the Marine Corps’ lift requirements for the battlefield — to transport troops, supplies and heavy equipment forces across a contested environment, according to the company. Sikorsky said they already delivered 20 CH-53K aircraft to the U.S. Marine Corps. An additional 63 aircraft are in various stages of production and assembly.
“Jobs, jobs, jobs. Excellent news for Sikorsky workers, for Stratford, and for our regional economy. This announcement brings predictability to Sikorsky for years to come. It’s a big win, and a testament to Sikorsky excellence. Congratulations to Sikorsky President Rich Benton, to his team, and to their entire supplier base. Thank you as well to our federal delegation and to the administration for their support of Sikorsky innovation,” said State Sens. Jason Perillo (R-Shelton) and Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield) in a joint statement.
The news comes nearly three years after Sikorsky lost out on a $1.3 billion contract with the U.S. Army. The Army was searching for the next generation of long-range helicopters, but Sikorsky was not named its new supplier. Instead, the Army signed Bell Textron, a Texas-based company, to produce the replacement for the Sikorsky-produced UH-60 Black Hawk.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com