Dec. 13 (UPI) -- General Electric Aviation has been awarded $157.7 million by the Navy for support of the T64 aircraft engine.
Work on the contract, announced Wednesday by the Department of Defense, is expected to run through June 2024 and will be funded using defense working capital funds from 2019 to 2024.
The T64 is the engine used for Sea Stallion helicopters and many other types of aircraft.
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter that has been used in many variants for over 50 years. It saw extensive use during the Vietnam War and has served as one of the primary helicopters of U.S. naval aviation ever since.
The Sea Stallion is meant for transporting humanitarian aid, combat troops, and medical evacuation. It can also be used for special forces operations and combat search and rescue.
The upgraded King Stallion can carry up to 27,000 pounds of external sling load, allowing it to transport light vehicles and artillery for battlefield placement. It is capable of carrying large amounts of internal cargo depending on the mission and fuel requirements.
