Sikorsky CH-53K Test Aircraft. Source: U.S. Marine Corps
The U.S. Navy has awarded Sikorsky a $1.13 billion contract for the procurement of 12 Lot II and Lot III low-rate initial production CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters, which are replacing Marine Corps CH-53Es. The program covers the acquisition of 200 aircraft for the Marines.
The FY20 budget includes $969 million for six aircraft, and a total of 74 CH-53Ks are funded between FY20 and FY24.
As editor of International Military Markets, North America, Shaun has cultivated a deep understanding of the vast defense markets in the United States and Canada. Shaun's perspective on defense procurement and budget issues has been cited in a variety of defense periodicals, including Defense News and National Defense Magazine. Further, Shaun played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast product, which offers an unprecedented level of insight into the Pentagon's acquisition budget. In addition to providing original analytical content for the U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, Shaun oversees an internal defense budget forecasting process involving Forecast International's team of skilled systems analysts following release of the DoD's annual budget request. Shaun is also in charge of managing Forecast International's Weapons Inventory database.
