General Electric to provide 21 CH-53K Helo Engines to U.S. Navy

General Electric has won a contract to supply 21 engines to power the U.S. Navy’s CH-53K helicopters.

The modification contract values $101.5 million procures 21 T408-GE-400 turboshaft engines and associated engine, programmatic and logistics services in support of CH-53K Lot Five low rate initial production aircraft.

Work is expected to be completed in December 2024.

The Marines plan to receive 200 CH-53 King Stallion helicopters at a total cost of $25 billion.

The rotorcraft’s design features three 7,500 shp engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin than previous CH-53 variants. 

The T408 gives the CH-53K helicopter the power to carry a 27,000-pound external load over a mission radius of 110 nautical miles in hot weather conditions, nearly triple the external load carrying capacity of current aircraft. When compared to its predecessor – the T64 turboshaft engine that powers the SUPER STALLION aircraft – the T408 will provide more than 57% more power, 18% better specific fuel consumption and 63% fewer parts.