New CH-53K transport helicopter performs flight operations from U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship.

According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on July 10, 2025, the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) successfully conducted flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean involving the U.S. Marine Corps’ newest heavy-lift helicopter, the CH-53K King Stallion.
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A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion, the newest heavy-lift transport helicopter, prepares to land aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) during COMPTUEX. The CH-53K features advanced avionics, fly-by-wire controls, and triple the lift capacity of its predecessor, enabling it to transport heavy vehicles, equipment, and troops in demanding expeditionary operations. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

This flight operation marks a major step forward in the operational integration of the CH-53K into amphibious naval platforms, showcasing the aircraft’s readiness to serve as the backbone of heavy-lift capability for the Marine Corps. Developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, the CH-53K officially entered service in April 2022 and is gradually replacing the legacy CH-53E Super Stallion. Designed for the most demanding expeditionary and combat support missions, the CH-53K brings unmatched performance in speed, payload, and survivability. It can carry up to 36,000 pounds (16,330 kilograms) externally, three times the capacity of its predecessor, and features a wider cabin capable of transporting internally a Humvee or light armored vehicles, in addition to up to 37 seated troops or 55 with centerline seating.

Technically, the CH-53K is equipped with three General Electric T408-GE-400 turboshaft engines, fly-by-wire flight controls, advanced composite rotor blades, and a fully integrated glass cockpit. These features significantly improve flight stability, responsiveness, and ease of handling while reducing pilot workload. Its wider cargo cabin allows seamless internal transport of tactical vehicles and personnel, increasing operational versatility. The aircraft includes state-of-the-art survivability systems such as infrared countermeasures, ballistic protection, crashworthy seats, and redundant flight-critical systems designed to ensure operational continuity in high-threat environments. Its advanced digital mission architecture enables networked operations, real-time data fusion, and mission management, supporting both autonomous task execution and integrated operations within a larger joint force structure.

Its primary roles include ship-to-shore and deep inland heavy lift, logistical support, casualty evacuation, vehicle transport, and special operations insertion in hostile or austere environments. The CH-53K is purpose-built to support the Marine Corps’ emerging operational concepts such as Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) and Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), enabling forces to operate across dispersed and contested environments with greater speed and sustainability. With a combat radius of 110 nautical miles (204 kilometers) carrying its full external payload, the CH-53K significantly expands the reach of amphibious forces.

The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), currently executing COMPTUEX, is composed of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21), and the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Together, these ships form a balanced, scalable force capable of launching amphibious assaults, supporting humanitarian missions, and engaging in full-spectrum maritime combat operations. The ARG is embarked with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), a forward-deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) that includes a command element, an infantry battalion landing team, a composite aviation squadron, and a logistics combat element. This MEU structure provides rapid-response capability for missions ranging from crisis intervention to sustained combat operations.

COMPTUEX is a critical training and certification event that evaluates the full spectrum combat readiness of an ARG-MEU team before deployment. Guided by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander directives and informed by the Navy’s global operational assessments, COMPTUEX simulates high-intensity, multi-domain warfare across air, surface, subsurface, and cyber domains. It provides a final opportunity to test tactics, refine interoperability, and validate that the force can deliver precision combat power wherever required by national command authority. Moreover, the exercise enables Navy leadership to assess the effectiveness of prior readiness generation activities and supports decisions for future resource allocation and force design.

The integration of the CH-53K into the operational rhythm of Iwo Jima ARG during COMPTUEX signals the beginning of a new era in Marine Corps aviation and amphibious operations. The helicopter’s enhanced lift performance, survivability, digital connectivity, and mission flexibility make it a critical asset in the next generation of expeditionary warfare. Its successful deployment during this exercise further demonstrates the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ commitment to fielding technologically advanced and combat-capable forces prepared to deter aggression and respond decisively to complex security challenges worldwide.