The US Navy announced last week that the Marine Corps CH-53K "Stallion King" heavy helicopter was ready for full production, according to the US Defense News Weekly website on the 28th. The annual procurement of the Marine Corps will double in the next three years. According to the report, Jay Stephanie, the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy in charge of research, development and procurement, signed a memorandum on December 21 to confirm that it is appropriate to increase the output based on the performance of the helicopter in the test, project cost and production line performance. According to the report, Sikorsky, the manufacturer of CH-53K helicopters, said that it had started to purchase long lead time products and key materials to support its factory in Connecticut to increase production. Its supply base includes more than 200 companies in 35 states. Bill Falk, director of Sikorsky's CH-53K project, said in a statement: "This is the most technologically advanced helicopter in the world. Increasing production will enable the US Marine Corps to build a CH-53K 'Stallion King' formation and successfully carry out support tasks. This production authorization has stabilized Sikorsky's domestic supply chain and proved our lasting partnership with the Marine Corps." According to the report, the US Navy's budget data shows that, The Marine Corps intends to purchase 10 of these aircraft in fiscal year 2023, 15 in fiscal year 2024, and 21 annually from fiscal year 2025. (Outlook New Times)