After much delay, Marines declare CH-53K ready for operations - Breaking Defense

The Marine Corps today announced the CH-53K King Stallion, the service’s premiere heavy lift helicopter, is ready to officially enter operational service, seven years behind the service’s original target.

“My full confidence in the CH-53K’s ability to execute the heavy lift mission is the result of successful developmental and operational testing conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1,” said Lt. Gen Mark Wise, the Marine Corps’ top aviator, in a written statement.

Officially called initial operational capability, the acquisition milestone reflects the helicopter has demonstrated it can perform at the minimum thresholds the service considers necessary to be useful in actual operations.

The first CH-53K Marine Expeditionary Unit detachment is scheduled to deploy in fiscal year 2024.

“In addition to meeting IOC criteria, the CH-53K successfully completed a thorough initial operational test and evaluation period that resulted in over 3,000 mishap free hours flown in various challenging environments and terrain,” according to the Marine Corps statement.