Navy awards Sikorsky $1.1 billion contract for CH-53K Lots 2 and 3

The Navy last week announced a $1.1 billion contract modification award to Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky for the Marine Corps' new heavy-lift helicopter.

The award is for Lot 2 and Lot 3 of the CH-53K King Stallion's low-rate initial production phase.

"This modification provides for the procurement of 12 Lot II and Lot III low-rate initial production CH-53K aircraft, including programmatic support, logistics support, and peculiar support equipment," the announcement reads.

Navy acquisition chief Hondo Geurts told lawmakers last month the Navy would award the contract after reformatting the program, which has faced delays as the contractor and service grapple with technical issues.

Congressional defense committees earlier this year approved a partial reprogramming request for the CH-53K, allowing the Navy to shift $79 million from its aircraft procurement account to its research and development portfolio. The service said it needed the funds to conduct more flight tests for the helicopter.

The CH-53K is meant to haul heavy cargo and can lift the Marine Corps' Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.