Fifth CH-53K Test Fuselage Delivered - Spirit AeroSystems

As of December 8, 2025, Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. is wholly owned by The Boeing Company and part of the Boeing family. Click here to read more about the acquisition.

Popular Pages

• Fabrication
• Design-Build
• Careers
• Programs

Programs & Capabilities

Programs & Capabilities

• Overview
• Commercial
  • Commercial Overview
  • Solutions Provider
  • Rate Readiness
  • Commercial Programs
• Defense
• Aftermarket
• Fabrication
  • Fabrication Overview
  • Parts Perfection
  • Customer Value
  • Metal Fabrication
  • Composite Fabrication
• Research & Technology
  • Research Overview
  • Spirit Innovation
  • Distinct Capabilities
  • Research Centers
• Chemical Processing
• Precision Assembly
• Systems Integration
• Engineering

Careers Company

Company

• Overview
  • Overview
  • History
  • Spirit Values
• Programs
• Sustainability
  • Sustainability Overview
  • Environment
  • Our People
  • Governance
  • Policies
• Ethics & Compliance
  • Ethics Overview
  • Anti-Corruption and Bribery Policy
  • REACH Compliance
  • Human Rights Policy
• Certifications
• Community
  • Community Overview
  • Corporate Grants
  • Good Neighbor Fund
• Global Locations and Contacts
• Visitor Safety Protocol

News

News

• News Center
• Press Releases & Statements
• Blog
• Media Resources
• Manufacturing News

Suppliers

Suppliers

• Suppliers Overview
• Supplier Criteria
• Small Business and Supplier Diversity

Social

Share this page

Contact Company Careers Contact Blog

• Home
• Blog

Spirit Delivers 5th CH-53K King Stallion System Demonstration Test Article Helicopter Fuselage

Spirit AeroSystems announced it has successfully delivered the fifth System Demonstration Test Article (SDTA) CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter fuselage for the U.S. Marine Corps from Spirit’s Wichita, Kan., facility. Major assembly on the fuselage for SDTA six, the final SDTA helicopter, is underway. Spirit is responsible for the assembly of the entire cockpit and cabin and delivering the complete fuselage to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company.

“The Spirit team is proud to support the CH-53K King Stallion program and is pleased to deliver the 5th SDTA fuselage unit to Sikorsky,” said Krisstie Kondrotis, Spirit AeroSystems senior vice president of Defense programs. “This lightweight composite fuselage structure will support the Marine Corps requirement of much-needed additional heavy-lift capability. We look forward to being a major contributor to this program and delivering on our commitments for many years to come.”

Spirit is responsible for the composite cockpit and cabin structure with a separately attached tail section. The lightweight structures support the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter’s capability of conducting unrefueled missions carrying 27,000 pounds over 110 nautical miles in high/hot conditions, which is triple the load-carrying capacity of the current CH-53E Super Stallion.

Programs

• Overview
• Commercial
• Defense
• Aftermarket
• Fabrication
• Research & Technology
• Chemical Processing
• Precision Assembly
• Systems Integration
• Engineering

Careers

• Careers Overview
• Success at Spirit
• Total Rewards
• Internships
• Veterans
• Alumni
• Recalls
• Labor Postings & Notices

Company

• Overview
• Programs
• Sustainability
• Ethics & Compliance
• Certifications
• Community
• Global Locations and Contacts
• Visitor Safety Protocol

Investors Suppliers News Customer / Supplier Login GCS&S Customer Login Fabrication Login Employee Login Know Your Rights E-Verify (English) Spirit EEO Policy Contact Sitemap Privacy Policy Careers © 2026 Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. Contact Sitemap Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Careers Search Cookie Settings

By continuing to use this site, you give your consent to our use of cookies. View Privacy Policy