CH-53K Heavy-Lift Helicopter Program Acquisition Case Study

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to analyze the acquisition process of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter. With the ability to carry 27,000 lbs over 110 nm in hot temperatures and within the same shipboard logistic footprint as its predecessor, the CH-53K will be the backbone of the USMC’s ship-to-shore aviation operations. However, numerous performance setbacks have incurred significant cost growth for the USMC and delayed the aircraft’s deployment to 2023–2024, two decades after the program was initiated in 2003. This research examines the program, in the format of a case history, to better understand the decisions and scenarios that led to increased cost growth and delayed schedules. The case history is intended to educate readers on the numerous complex considerations found within any acquisition process in the hopes of applying this program’s lessons learned to future programs to provide the best solution for the warfighter.