WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after Sikorsky Aircraft announced the successful first flight of the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter: 

“The Department of Defense has come to rely on Sikorsky’s unparalleled reliability and performance. Once again, with yesterday’s successful first flight of the CH-53K, Sikorsky is living up to their remarkable reputation. The ‘King Stallion’ will be essential to the Marine Corps’ land- and sea-based operations and will be the biggest and largest payload aircraft in the fleet,” said Murphy. “Yesterday was another proud day for Connecticut’s hardworking residents.”

The first flight marks a significant milestone for the $25.5 billion CH-53K program. The CH-53K will replace the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters and provide 50 percent more power allowing it to transport more Marines and equipment farther distances. The Marine Corps plans to purchase 200 aircraft that will have critical components manufactured in Stratford, Connecticut and is on track to field the first operational squadron in 2019.