The CH-53K King Stallion achieved its first external lift flight, successfully carrying a 12,000 pound external load. As testing ramps up both of the current flying prototypes will be exercised to expand the external load envelope. Initial external payloads weighing 12,000 pounds will be flown first in hover and then incrementally to speeds up to 120 knots. The aircraft will then carry 20,000 and 27,000 pound external payloads. | Sikorsky

The U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion is the most powerful helicopter in the United States military. Sikorsky Test Pilot, Sean Maloney, walks you through some key features of this heavy-lift workhorse. | Sikorsky

The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by the United States military. It was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion. | War History Online

#OTD in 1968, Marine Lt. Col. Robert Guay and Sikorsky pilot Byron Graham performed a series of loops and rolls in a CH-53A to test the enormous Sea Stallion's maneuverability characteristics. The maneuvers were unprecedented for a helicopter of its size. | U.S. Naval Institute