STRATFORD, Conn., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Sikorsky Aircraft says progress on a contract to construct the new U.S. Marine Corps heavy lift helicopter is moving forward with the arrival of supplier parts.
U.S. company Sikorsky announced it has begun receiving transmission gear forgings from its suppliers in support of the new CH-53K heavy lift helicopter being constructed for the Marine Corps.
Company officials say the arrival of the supplier parts is a significant milestone for the progress on the CH-53K, designed to replace the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, ahead of the production of the first prototypes.
"The arrival of the first forgings is a significant and visible milestone for the program," John Johnson, Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter program manager, said in a statement.
"It means the program is advancing from the paper stages of engineering and design to the hardware stages of castings and forgings. It is exciting to see such an impressive aircraft start coming to life with these forgings for the dynamics system."
