The contract was announced through an Internet-based
solicitation that attracted four bids. After evaluation, Exyte US was selected for
the contract work to be performed at a base in Israel. Fiscal 2026 Foreign
Military Sales (Israel) funds for $96,248,142 were obligated at the time of the
award. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District, is managing the
contract.
Scope of work
The project involves a Design-Bid-Build, new construction of
the CH-53K Bed-down site in Israel. The project includes the construction
of Operational Level (O-Level) and Intermediate Level (I-Level) Hangars,
associated support spaces, airfield improvements, grading and drainage
improvements, and supporting infrastructure to support the bed down of CH-53K
aircraft.
Maintenance Hangar Details
The O-Level Maintenance Hangar area will serve as a
maintenance campus and will facilitate the general aircraft maintenance between
missions. This Hangar is designed to provide protected space for the maintenance
of one CH-53K aircraft and additional storage/shelter for three partially
folded CH-53K aircraft. The O-Level campus will also include parking spaces for
up to ten aircraft, a Wash Pad, an Aircraft Rinse Pad, a Combat Depot, and a
Chaff/Flare Locker.
The O-Level Hangar will provide space and equipment
necessary to support the new CH-53K for the following functional areas:
- Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Bay
- Aircraft Storage Hangar Bay
- Aircraft Maintenance Administration
- Aircraft Maintenance Tool Room
- Hazardous Storage / Hazardous Waste
- Support Equipment Storage
The I-Level Maintenance Hangar and Depot-Level maintenance facility comprises two I-Level Maintenance Hangar bays to provide general aircraft maintenance and is designed to provide protected space for aircraft maintenance of two CH-53K aircraft.
The I-Level Hangar will provide space and equipment
necessary to support the new CH-53K mission for the following functional areas:
- Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Bays
- Warehouse / Ground Equipment
- Hazardous Waste Area
- Blade Repair Shop
- Building Complex
- Parts Storage / Tool Room
- Facilities Complex
- Office Complex
- Engine Complex
CH-53K for Israel
In 2022, Lockheed Martin announced it would produce 12
CH-53K heavy lift helicopters for Israel under a U.S. Navy Foreign Military
Sales agreement.
This production announcement was for the first four of 12
aircraft for Israel and was on the heels of a contract to produce nine
more aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps. The signed letter of offer and acceptance between
the U.S. Government and Israel states that deliveries of the baseline aircraft were
planned for 2025.
The CH-53K helicopters will replace the Israeli Air Force
(IAF) fleet of modified CH-53D Yasur helicopters, which have been in Israel’s
inventory for over 50 years. The all-new CH-53K delivers modern
state-of-the-art capabilities that result in improved survivability, safety,
and reduced aircrew workload over its predecessor, making it the perfect fit
for the demanding IAF mission. Also, with a reduction in support equipment
footprint compared to the legacy fleet, the CH-53K will mean reduced operating
costs.
The aircraft are manufactured at Sikorsky headquarters in
Stratford, Conn.
