Most Powerful U.S. Helicopter Ever, Marine CH-53K King Stallion, Heads For Production (From Forbes)

The U.S. Marine Corps wants something nobody else has: a helicopter that can lift 18 tons in a single flight. Sikorsky’s CH-53K King Stallion meets that need, providing sea-based forces with an unprecedented capability to move troops and supplies from ship to shore. It can even transport the joint force’s next-generation jeep, known as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. No other helicopter in the military inventory can do that. With an all-digital cockpit, composite rotor blades, three new engines, and full authority fly-by-wire flight controls, King Stallion is a leap into the future for America’s first-responder military force. It appears a new production contract will be signed in the near future, signaling the program has resolved outstanding engineering challenges. I have written a commentary for Forbes here.