Neller: Service does not have an official plan to contain CH-53K cost growth

The Marine Corps does not have an official plan to contain cost growth for the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter program, but is working with the vendor to get better pricing, according to Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller.

Earlier this month, House Armed Services tactical air and land subcommittee Ranking Member Niki Tsongas (D-MA) said the CH-53K's cost has grown by 22 percent compared to the baseline cost estimate.

“I haven’t had anyone come to me about that,” Neller told Inside Defense March 22 during a conference sponsored by Credit Suisse and McAleese and Associates. “I was tracking it, I read about it, so obviously we’re concerned about the cost point.”

The service is working with CH-53K manufacturer Sikorsky to reduce the cost. Neller said he hopes there will be interest from foreign nations, cutting the procurement price.