Awaiting the King Stallion

摘要

The Marine Corps says the new CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter could be a "key enabler" in humanitarian and disaster relief operations. 1. The first flight for the King Stallion is expected by the end of the year. 2. The flight test program would follow first flight, and then a production decision and contract, likely in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. 3. The program is on track for initial operational capability - four aircraft in the fleet ready to fly missions, with crews trained and all the support in place - by 2019.