Program Executive Office Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission Programs (PEO (A)) welcomed new leadership in a brief ceremony July 29 at the Pentagon.

Maj. Gen. Greg Masiello transferred leadership to Mr. Gary Kurtz with Mr. Tommy Ross, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of the Navy (ASN) research, development and acquisition (RDA) presiding over the event.

“I just want to say thank you for your leadership. Thank you for everything you've done for the Navy,” said Ross.

A full authority digital fly-by-wire Flight Control System (FCS) is one of many impressive capabilities setting the CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter apart from any other heavy lift aircraft. “Full authority” means the FCS provides all of the aircraft motion – not just supplementing the pilot for stability.

Rotor blades for the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter that arrive for rework at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) will be balanced on a new system that will save about $18 million by eliminating the need for building a new testing facility.

Helicopter rotor blades must be balanced to reduce vibration that can place stress on the helicopter’s airframe. At FRCE, this balancing process has traditionally been performed using the facility’s Helicopter Blade Balance Facility, commonly known as a whirl tower, to simulate the blade’s performance in flight.

The Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) John Glenn Squadron presented excellence in aviation awards to six local Marines and four civilians during a ceremony June 2.

Awards, spanning five categories, highlighted achievements in product delivery, test and evaluation, and overall acquisition accomplishment.

The H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261) welcomed their new program manager during a change of command ceremony on May 11.

Maj. Gen. Greg Masiello, program executive officer for air anti-submarine warfare, assault & special mission programs (PEO(A)), served as guest speaker and officiating officer, applauding Col. Jack Perrin for his leadership and welcoming Col. Kate Fleeger to the leadership role.

Israeli Air Force (IAF) Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Eyal Grinboim visited Naval Air Station Patuxent River in February for a program update and flight on the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter.

Grinboim and his staff met with Maj. Gen. Gregory Masiello, program executive officer for air anti-submarine warfare, assault and special mission programs (PEO(A)). Masiello and Col. Jack Perrin, program manager, heavy lift program office (PMA-261), gave the IAF group an overview of the CH-53K program and a status update on current tests and production.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has signed a Letter of Acceptance with the United States government to purchase the CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter on December 30.

“We’re happy the IAF recognizes the unrivaled capabilities and performance of the K and have chosen to move forward with us,” said Colonel Jack Perrin, Program Manager, heavy lift helicopter program office (PMA-261). “Welcome to the CH-53K family!”

The CH-53K King Stallion successfully recovered a Navy MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter from Mount Hogue in the White Mountains of California on Sunday, September 5. The two-day operation was the first official fleet mission for the Marine Corps’ new heavy lift capability, which is in the midst of Initial Operational Test and Evaluation with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Ca.

A contract to build nine CH-53K™ King Stallion™ helicopters with an additional contract option for nine more aircraft was awarded to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company on June 25.

The Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Lot 5 contract will deliver nine aircraft in 2024 as part of a 200 aircraft program of record for the U.S. Marine Corps. The Lot 5 contract contains an option for Lot 6, for an additional nine aircraft with a contract award in FY22.

As announced during a live Department of Defense event, Dec. 15, the 2020 Defense Acquisition Workforce Award for Individual Achievement in the Test and Evaluation has been awarded to Mr. Eric Fallabel. As part of the  CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter program’s test team from 2018 to 2020, Fallabel has guided the test team through testing challenges as they prepare to enter Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) in 2021.

“I am excited and honored to receive this award,” said Fallabel upon his recognition “It’s a big one!”