CH-53K completes first 20K lift

The U.S. Marine Corps' newest helicopter, the CH-53K, completed its first external load flight test carrying a 20,000 lb. load May 26 at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation's Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Envelope expansion tests will continue with incrementally increasing speeds with the 20,000 load, and then on to the CH-53K’s requirement, a 27,000-lb. external payload. (Photo courtesy Sikorsky)

This program is moving along nicely.  If they continue at this pace it will be ready for production BEFORE the F-35.