Having recently cleared the IOT&E phase of its development, the CH-53K is now ready to enter service with the US Marine Corps later in 2022. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter has passed the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) phase of its development ahead of its entry into service in 2022.

A Sikorsky representative noted on 22 March that the event occurred earlier in the month, saying the King Stallion is on track to be fielded operationally by the US Marine Corps (USMC) later in the year.

News of the IOT&E milestone came two months after the USMC stood up Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 as the type's first operational unit on 15 January. Located at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, HMH 461 had previously operated the King Stallion's CH-53E Super Stallion predecessor.

Having recently cleared the IOT&E phase of its development, the CH-53K is now ready to enter service with the US Marine Corps later in 2022. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter has passed the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) phase of its development ahead of its entry into service in 2022.

A Sikorsky representative noted on 22 March that the event occurred earlier in the month, saying the King Stallion is on track to be fielded operationally by the US Marine Corps (USMC) later in the year.

News of the IOT&E milestone came two months after the USMC stood up Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 as the type's first operational unit on 15 January. Located at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, HMH 461 had previously operated the King Stallion's CH-53E Super Stallion predecessor.

Having recently cleared the IOT&E phase of its development, the CH-53K is now ready to enter service with the US Marine Corps later in 2022. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter has passed the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) phase of its development ahead of its entry into service in 2022.

A Sikorsky representative noted on 22 March that the event occurred earlier in the month, saying the King Stallion is on track to be fielded operationally by the US Marine Corps (USMC) later in the year.

News of the IOT&E milestone came two months after the USMC stood up Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 as the type's first operational unit on 15 January. Located at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, HMH 461 had previously operated the King Stallion's CH-53E Super Stallion predecessor.

Having recently cleared the IOT&E phase of its development, the CH-53K is now ready to enter service with the US Marine Corps later in 2022. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter has passed the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) phase of its development ahead of its entry into service in 2022.

A Sikorsky representative noted on 22 March that the event occurred earlier in the month, saying the King Stallion is on track to be fielded operationally by the US Marine Corps (USMC) later in the year.

News of the IOT&E milestone came two months after the USMC stood up Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 as the type's first operational unit on 15 January. Located at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, HMH 461 had previously operated the King Stallion's CH-53E Super Stallion predecessor.

Having recently cleared the IOT&E phase of its development, the CH-53K is now ready to enter service with the US Marine Corps later in 2022. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter has passed the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) phase of its development ahead of its entry into service in 2022.

A Sikorsky representative noted on 22 March that the event occurred earlier in the month, saying the King Stallion is on track to be fielded operationally by the US Marine Corps (USMC) later in the year.

News of the IOT&E milestone came two months after the USMC stood up Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 as the type's first operational unit on 15 January. Located at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, HMH 461 had previously operated the King Stallion's CH-53E Super Stallion predecessor.

Having recently cleared the IOT&E phase of its development, the CH-53K is now ready to enter service with the US Marine Corps later in 2022. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter has passed the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) phase of its development ahead of its entry into service in 2022.

A Sikorsky representative noted on 22 March that the event occurred earlier in the month, saying the King Stallion is on track to be fielded operationally by the US Marine Corps (USMC) later in the year.

News of the IOT&E milestone came two months after the USMC stood up Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 as the type's first operational unit on 15 January. Located at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, HMH 461 had previously operated the King Stallion's CH-53E Super Stallion predecessor.