--- title: "Why the Navy may look to this Army workhorse for special ops" date: "2020-04-29" modified: "2020-10-30" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-tactical/navy-special-ops-helicopter/" categories: - "Aircraft" - "Military News" - "Tactical" --- # Why the Navy may look to this Army workhorse for special ops ![]() For years, the Navy has been planning to buy Lockheed's newest version of the Sea Stallion helicopter, the CH-53K King Stallion. In fact, they've already pre-ordered 200 of the new helicopter. But Lockheed's new bird is running into a lot of stumbling blocks, ones that have the Navy careening toward a tried-and-true Army favorite: The Chinook. --- ![]() The Chinook took its first flight with the U.S. Military in 1961. The Pentagon has directed the Navy to look at buying maritime versions of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter, a version that is protected against the corrosive seaborne environment of aircraft carriers and amphibious warfare ships. Lockheed's billion King Stallion program has run into a series of technical problems and delays over the past few months. The program is delayed by more than a year and still has "100 outstanding deficiencies that require resolution," according to Sen. James Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Since one of the missions for the new King Stallion is moving heavy cargo, not just any replacement will do. That's where the Chinook comes in. ![]() The CH-53K King Stallion. "There is simply no other helicopter that comes close to the performance of the CH-53K or that can meet Marine Corps requirements," said Bill Falk, Lockheed's King Stallion program director. The Marine Corps agrees, saying adapting the CH-47 for maritime operations is no simple fix or easy upgrade. The Marines believe the Chinook can't provide the heavy lift necessary for future operations. Boeing, of course, disagrees, saying the helicopter already "conducts ship-based operations for U.S. Special Forces and international operators, and enjoys a strong reputation among all the U.S. services." ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()