The CH-53K was developed by Sikorsky to meet requirements of the US Marine Corps. Development commenced in 2006. This heavy helicopter was first publicly revealed in 2014. First flight is scheduled for 2015. Low-rate production of this helicopter should commence in 2016 and it should reach initial operating capability in 2018. Once operational it will be the largest helicopter in the US military. The US Marine Corps requirement is for 200 new heavy-lift helicopters.

   The CH-53K is a further development of the CH-53E Super Stallion. Since 1974 the Super Stallion was the largest and most powerful helicopter outside Russia. A total of 227 machines were built. Currently US Marines are using CH-53E helicopters to deliver troops, vehicles and supplies from ships to shore. However these helicopters are wearing out. The main goal was to develop helicopter with notably improved performance in a similar airframe.

   Even though the CH-53K looks like the previous CH-53E it has a new design. It has a wider cabin. The new helicopter has the same shipboard footprint as the previous CH-53E.

   The King Stallion is powered by three General Electric turboshaft engines, developing 7 500 shp each. These engines use less fuel, deliver more power and have fewer parts than the previous engines. Machine is fitted with next-generation composite main rotor blades. Blades are folded automatically. These are the largest and most advanced blades Sikorsky has ever produced.

   The CH-53K has a payload capacity of 15.9 t. The previous CH-53E with centerline seats installed can carry 55 soldiers. So the new helicopter should carry similar number of troops. The King Stallion has significantly increased lift capability over the previous Super Stallion. It can recover downed air vehicles. Also it can transport heavy weapons and vehicles externally.

   The helicopter has a redesigned composite airframe. There is lightweight ballistic protection for crew and troops. Also there are crashworthy seats for crew and troops as well as crashworthy retracting landing gear. All of these features combined significantly increase aircraft and crew survivability.

   The King Stallion is operated by a crew of 5, including 2 pilots and a combat crew of 3 gunners. Once in combat theatre this helicopter will be armed with three 12.7-mm machine guns. Two of them will be mounted in the windows on each side. The third machine gun will be mounted on the rear ramp. Helicopter also has chaff and flare dispensers.

   This helicopter is fitted with digital fly-by-wire avionics with fully integrated flight and navigation displays. The King Stallion has a refueling probe.