US firm awarded contract to build CH-53K helicopter facility in Israel

The U.S. Department of War announced Friday that Exyte US Inc., headquartered in Albany, N.Y., has secured a firm‑fixed‑price contract to design and construct “bed down” facilities for CH‑53K heavy‑lift helicopter in Israel. The award is valued at $96,248,142 and is slated for completion by March 23, 2029.

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.