Lockheed Marine Helicopter Came With Unpublicized Cost Increase
- CH-53K decision memo shows 6.9 percent rise to $31 billion
- Cost per copter increases to $138 million from $131 million
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The Pentagon’s approval for the Marine Corps to start buying Lockheed Martin Corp.’s new heavy lift helicopter came with a hidden surprise: the projected total acquisition cost for the King Stallion program has increased 6.9 percent to $31 billion.
The updated estimate was provided in an April 4 by James MacStravic, the Pentagon’s acting weapons buyer, that authorized production of the initial batch of 26 helicopters. The memo, labeled “For Official Use Only,” was obtained by Bloomberg News.