The CH-53K is to replace the CH-53E copter that transports troops, heavy weapons and materiel, providing Marine units with the operational reach to project power against critical points in littoral waters and far inland. The CH-53E is the workhorse of the Corps' current aviation fleet. But after a quarter-century in the field, its operations and support costs have risen to an unaffordable $21,000 per flight hour, while operational availability -- now about 64 percent -- is dropping to unacceptable levels. Without huge investments, the inventory of mission-ready CH-53Es will drop below the needs of the Corps beginning in fiscal year 2012.

A 2003 analysis of alternatives by the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton concluded that building the CH-53K is the most cost-effective approach, compared to the expense of buying other helicopters or upgrading the existing CH-53E fleet.

Some alternatives, such as the Army CH-47, were too large for shipboard operations. Others could not meet the Corps' range and payload requirements. The Army is developing a concept for a potential aircraft tentatively called Joint Heavy Lift, but procurement -- if it comes -- lies far in the future.

At almost $19 billion for 156 copters, the new CH-53K won't come cheap. Good hardware never does. But it will bring new capabilities to the Marine Corps. Able to carry 13.5 tons in high, hot conditions -- twice the lift capacity of today's “E” model -- it will transport two armored versions of the Humvee and three times the load per sortie of the MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft, making it a prime factor in Marines' ability to sustain troops ashore. That is vital in every tactical operation, but especially so as the Corps moves to greater reliance on sea basing.

Under the concept, Navy and Marine officials envision most logistical support and troop-staging operations being done at sea to foster more mobile and faster forces and eliminate the need to establish “iron mountains” of material or huge headquarters ashore when U.S forces are sent to increasingly less-hospitable hot spots around the world.

With its huge payload and substantial range that would provide critical “connections” between platforms at sea and troops ashore, the CH-53K will be central to the success of the sea-basing concept.

Moreover, the purchase of the new CH-53K is indicative of other procurement decisions to come as the Marine Corps resets its force for the future. The Corps has been continuously in combat since October 2001, when U.S. forces struck back at Al Qaeda terrorists and routed the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Its ground equipment is experiencing about eight times the use normally incurred during peacetime operations, and aviation hardware is rapidly wearing out, as well.

The decision to replace rather than repair major weapons -- such as buying the lightweight 155mm howitzer to replace legacy howitzers -- is, in most cases, the best option as the Corps deals with a continued high operational tempo and the need to keep its best equipment forward.

The Navy League strongly supports the acquisition of the CH-53K, a platform essential to the future success of the Marine Corps.

Semper Fidelis.