Tier 2rotorcraft

Machine Shops for CH-53K King Stallion

Find AS9100 & ITAR certified machine shops qualified to supply components for the CH-53K program.

Prime Contractor

Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin)

Production Location

Stratford, CT

Status

Low-rate initial production

Required Certs

AS9100D, ITAR

Program Overview

The CH-53K King Stallion is the U.S. Marine Corps' new heavy-lift helicopter, capable of lifting 27,000 lbs of external cargo. It features three 7,500-shp engines and extensive use of composites.

Machined Component Categories

Main Rotor System

Rotor hub, blade grips, and swashplate

TitaniumSteelAluminum

Transmission

Main gearbox components, tail rotor drivetrain

Steel gearsTitanium housingsMagnesium

Airframe

Critical structural fittings and joints

Titanium7075 AluminumSteel fittings

Primary Materials

Ti-6Al-4V4340 Steel9310 Steel (gears)7075 AluminumMagnesium AZ91

Required Certifications

AS9100DITAR

Preferred:

NADCAPSikorsky Approved

How to Become a CH-53K Supplier

1
Obtain Required Certifications
AS9100D certification and ITAR registration are mandatory before pursuing program work.
2
Register in Supplier Portal
Register through Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin)'s supplier portal and relevant procurement networks (e.g., Exostar).
3
Respond to RFQs
Monitor procurement opportunities and submit competitive quotes that demonstrate your capabilities and capacity.
4
Complete Qualification
Pass supplier qualification audits and first article inspections before receiving production orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes helicopter machining unique?

Helicopter components require extremely high reliability for flight-critical parts. Transmission gears require specialized gear grinding and heat treatment. Dynamic components face severe fatigue requirements.