U.S. Navy Signs $1.42B Engine Deal for CH-53K Fleet
The United States Navy on Tuesday awarded General Electric Aerospace a $1.42 billion contract modification to supply 277 T408-GE-400 turboshaft engines for Marine Corps CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters, finalizing multiple production lots through 2032.
According to the Naval Air Systems Command, the agreement “definitizes Lots Nine and 10 and adds scope for Lots 11-13,” covering engine production and programmatic support for full-rate CH-53K manufacturing. The contract was issued to GE Aerospace’s facility in Lynn, Massachusetts, with work scheduled to continue until September 2032.
Fiscal aircraft procurement funds for 2025 and 2026 totaling $497.4 million were obligated at the time of the award, the service said. None of the funds expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
The T408-GE-400 engine powers the CH-53K King Stallion, the Marine Corps’ newest heavy-lift helicopter, designed to carry external loads exceeding 27,000 pounds and operate in high-heat, high-altitude environments. The engine provides increased power, reduced fuel consumption, and modern digital controls compared to previous CH-53 variants.
The engine is intended to enable “greater lift, longer range, and more reliable operation” for the Marine Corps’ logistics and assault support missions. The King Stallion is replacing the aging CH-53E, with full-rate production underway following earlier delays in development and testing.
The procurement ensures adequate engine supply for aircraft deliveries planned across the next decade as the Marine Corps expands its CH-53K fleet. The King Stallion is expected to support expeditionary heavy-lift operations, including ship-to-shore movement, contested logistics, and long-range maritime deployments.
Background documents from the Naval Air Systems Command indicate the T408 engine line previously supported early production lots and developmental aircraft, with Lot 9 marking the transition to sustained full-rate engine deliveries.
The principal manufacturing work for the contract will be performed in Lynn, a designated labor surplus area. Additional support and integration efforts will be conducted at subcontractor locations across the United States, the Navy said.
The Marine Corps plans for the CH-53K to become its primary heavy-lift platform through the 2060s, supporting Indo-Pacific operations and distributed logistics concepts prioritized by the service.
The contract action comes amid broader modernization efforts across the Marine Corps aviation portfolio, including upgrades to MV-22 Osprey systems, procurement of KC-130J tankers, and the continued integration of the F-35B into operational squadrons.
This engine procurement is important for U.S. national security because it secures long-term industrial capacity for the Marine Corps’ only heavy-lift helicopter program, maintains domestic engine production, and ensures aviation readiness for expeditionary missions in contested regions.