Sikorsky Plane, the Stratford-based helicopter producer, has been awarded a virtually $11 billion contract with the U.S. Navy in a serious win for the state.
The Connecticut helicopter producer, a Lockheed Martin firm, acquired a $10.8 billion contract this week from the U.S. Navy to supply as much as 99 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps over 5 years, in line with the corporate.
The CH-53K is essentially the most highly effective heavy-lift helicopter within the U.S. army and is designed to move Marines, heavy tools and provides from Naval ships to shore in help of world operations, in line with the U.S. Navy. The CH-53K, which might carry as much as 27,000 kilos, is the alternative for the CH-53E.
“This award displays belief and confidence in Sikorsky to ship these technologically superior, heavy-lift helicopters that may revolutionize the Marine Corps’ operational capabilities by including unequalled energy, efficiency, survivability and dependability to the fleet,” mentioned Wealthy Benton, Sikorsky vp and common supervisor. “The multi-year contract permits Sikorsky to associate with the Division of the Navy to drive long-term affordability, optimize manufacturing efficiencies and stabilize our provide chain and workforce, making certain the Marines keep the strategic benefit with the CH-53K in a quickly evolving battlespace.”
The contract combines 5 separate plane orders right into a five-year multi-year procurement, making certain value predictability and constant movement of supplies from 267 CH-53K suppliers throughout 37 states, and 17 suppliers from eight nations. The contract permits the U.S. army to purchase as much as 99 CH-53K plane for the U.S. Marine Corps or to meet orders from worldwide army clients, in line with Sikorsky.
“This blockbuster $10.3 billion is a serious win for Sikorsky & their extremely gifted workforce. I’m thrilled to see this historic funding in CT made helicopters—the world’s most interesting,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal posted on X.
Sikorsky mentioned they designed the CH-53K helicopter to fulfill the Marine Corps’ raise necessities for the battlefield — to move troops, provides and heavy tools forces throughout a contested surroundings, in line with the corporate. Sikorsky mentioned they already delivered 20 CH-53K plane to the U.S. Marine Corps. A further 63 plane are in numerous levels of manufacturing and meeting.
“Jobs, jobs, jobs. Good news for Sikorsky employees, for Stratford, and for our regional economic system. This announcement brings predictability to Sikorsky for years to return. It’s a giant win, and a testomony to Sikorsky excellence. Congratulations to Sikorsky President Wealthy Benton, to his staff, and to their total provider base. Thanks as effectively to our federal delegation and to the administration for his or her help of Sikorsky innovation,” mentioned State Sens. Jason Perillo (R- Shelton) and Stephen Harding (R- Brookfield) in a joint assertion.
The information comes almost three years after Sikorsky misplaced out on a $1.3 billion contract with the U.S. Army. The Army was trying to find the following technology of long-range helicopters, however Sikorsky was not named its new provider. As an alternative, the Army signed Bell Textron, a Texas-based firm, to supply the alternative for the Sikorsky-produced UH-60 Black Hawk.
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