General Electric Wins $143M for Engines of US Navy’s CH-53K Choppers

General Electric has won $143 million modification contract for 24 low rate initial production Lot 3 T408-GE-400 turboshaft engines and three Lot 2 T408-GE-400 engines for the CH-53K helicopter.

In addition, this modification provides for associated engine and programmatic support, logistics support, peculiar support equipment and spares. 

Work is expected to be completed in December 2022. 

The CH-53K helicopter is touted to be largest and heaviest helicopter in the US military. The design features three 7,500 shp (5,590 kW) engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin than previous CH-53 variants. The chopper is capable of handling missions like humanitarian aid, troop transport, casualty evacuation, support of special operations forces, and combat search and rescue.