Oct. 27–Sikorsky’s King Stallion helicopter prototype, the heavy-lift military helicopter that’s been in development in Stratford, had its first successful test flight Tuesday.
Sikorsky and the U.S. Marine Corps — the customer for the helicopter — jointly announced the news.
The 30-minute flight happened at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach.
The King Stallion, also known as the CH-53K, will replace the CH-53E Super Stallion. It is about the same size, but will be able to carry 27,000 pounds, nearly three times as much as its predecessor.
The Pentagon anticipates buying about 200 helicopters, and projects that the new helicopter will enter service in 2019. The number of orders could change based on budgets and Pentagon acquisition priorities, the announcement noted.
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