Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company announced the second CH-53K helicopter has joined the flight test program and achieved first flight. In addition the first aircraft into the test program has achieved flight envelope expansion to 120 knots for the U.S. Marine Corps’ CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter program.

“Adding a second aircraft into flight status signifies another milestone for the CH-53K program,” said Mike Torok, Sikorsky’s vice-president of CH-53K Programs. “With both aircraft in flight test, our flight envelope expansion efforts will accelerate as we continue to make good progress toward our initial operational test assessment and full aircraft system qualification.”