Archive image: A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion helicopter attached to Marine Heavy Squadron (HMH) 461 taxis aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), during Composite Training Unit Exercise while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, July 10, 2025.
During COMPTUEX, the IWO ARG and 22nd MEU(SOC), refine tactics, techniques, and procedures to execute warfighting functions that enhance operational readiness and lethality as a unified IWOARG/22MEU(SOC) team.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sharon Errisuriz.
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Members of the Air Vehicle department from H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261) have coordinated with the Human Systems Engineering Department’s Aircraft Lighting and Transparency Lab (ALTL) and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 (HX-21) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, and Sikorsky to find a replacement to search lights on the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter. This group effort is due to the current light becoming difficult to obtain through the manufacturer.
Just like many other aircraft in the Department of Defense, the CH-53K comes equipped with a search light. In the case of CH-53K, two search lights are needed. These important lights are used in nighttime takeoffs and landings, search and rescue (SAR) missions, and many tactical operations where improved visibility is needed.
Though the lights may seem insignificant pieces of apparatus, a delay of nearly two years in the lead time from the manufacturer to obtain these lights led the team to seek a replacement light that would be more readily available and perform as needed.
Testing of a new search light was performed at NAS Patuxent River in March to see if a mixed configuration between the incumbent and a new manufacturer of search lights would be deemed acceptable by the test pilots and subject matter experts for the helicopter. The feedback and information are critical to the program office so they can provide the fleet a path forward on implementation.
“This light performs as good or better than the incumbent in visible mode, infrared radiance, illumination area and offers improved visible and dimming control,” said Daniel Harris, PMA-261 CH-53K Air Vehicle team member.
Even better, according to Harris, the initial reporting showed a mixed configuration between the new and incumbent light is allowable, which means the lights can be updated as needed into the aircraft while in the fleet by attrition.
An additional benefit: the new light is a successful affordability achievement. This affordability benefit is jointly achieved between the government and Sikorsky.
“The new light is almost half the cost of the one it is replacing,” said Harris, “with a lead time just a fraction of that of the incumbent.”
The PMA-261 Air Vehicle team is continuing to work to ensure the fleet has access to the affordable and available parts necessary for mission readiness.
PMA-261 manages the cradle to grave procurement, development, support, fielding and disposal of the entire family of H-53 heavy lift helicopters.
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