GE Aerospace picked up a $32.3-million modification to an existing U.S. Dept. of Defense contract involving full-rate manufacturing of T408 engines for a new production lot of CH-53K helicopters. The contract adjustment will fund procurement of long-lead items for the next series of production of those engines.
With Lot 10 expected total of 21 helicopters, the new award will cover sourcing for production of more than 60 engines.
The T408 is GE’s latest model turboshaft engine, a 7,500-shp power unit developed for heavy-lift applications, like the three-engine CH-53K King Stallion helicopter.
The aircraft are built by Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky Aircraft unit for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps and in service since 2018.
In December 2023, Naval Air Systems Command authorized Sikorsky to proceed with procurement efforts for full-rate production of Lot 9 and picked up the option that authorized planning for Lot 10 of the CH-53K program.
The Pentagon forecasts a total of 200 helicopters will be ordered over the life of the CH-53K program.
GE Aerospace is expected to complete the sourcing under this award by October 2027.
