Rotorcraft
CH-53K King Stallion Goes to Sea
The next-generation heavy-lifter for the Marine Corps has successfully undertaken its first sea trials.
The CH-53K used for initial sea trials performs a day launch from Wasp’s Spot 6 during the two-week assessment. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
The CH-53K used for initial sea trials performs a day launch from Wasp’s Spot 6 during the two-week assessment. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

During June the Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion undertook its first period of sea trials. This represents a significant milestone to the delayed program to field the three-engined heavylift helicopter aboard the assault ships of the U.S. Navy’s “Gator Navy”.

Overseen by Naval Air Systems Command at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, the trials took place aboard USS Wasp, a landing helicopter dock (LHD) vessel. “I’m very pleased with how the ship tests went,” said Colonel Jack Perrin, H-53 helicopters program manager with program office PMA-261. “We were able to assess the K taking off and landing day, night, and with night vision goggles and it performed extremely well.”

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