Marines Say Unit Costs for CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter Dropping

[PeteS in CA]

Marines Say Unit Costs for CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter Dropping

https://news.usni.org/2021/07/05/marines-say-unit-costs-for-ch-53k-heavy-lift-helicopter-dropping

The Marine Corps’ top aviation officer assured a key House panel this week that the unit costs of the CH-53K King Sea Stallion helicopter are dropping significantly.

Major problems such as engine gas re-ingestion are being fixed and readiness rates for test aircraft are all moving in the right direction, Lt. Gen. Mark Wise, the deputy commandant for aviation, told the House Armed Services tactical air and land forces subcommittee Wednesday.

Wise said “there are some good news stories” emerging in the program. He put the unit cost of the heavy-lift helicopter at $97 million in Lot 5, down from more than $130 million.