CH-53K Helicopters Demonstrated Capabilities During Testing with Marines

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The operational capabilities of the CH-53K helicopter were evaluated by the US Marines. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (1/2), 2d Marine Division, sprint to a Lockheed Martin Sickorsky’s CH-53K King Stallion at Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

In support of Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, Marines with 1/2 executed an air assault operation to test the capabilities of the CH-53K King Stallion, the U.S. Marine Corps’ newest heavy-lift helicopter.

This helicopter was selected by the Israel Air Force as a substitute to the old Yas’ur helicopters.

Lately, Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) completed Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization aircrew qualifications in the CH-53K King Stallion for the start of Initial Operational Test and Evaluation. The program moves into IOT&E for the heavy lift helicopter next month.

The Marines were required to establish air and ground crews that would acquire experience and know-how regarding the helicopters, as a preparation to the initial operational stage. This will serve as the basis for the deployment of the helicopters as a complete Marines fleet towards the first operational deployment planned for 2023.