Marine Corps purchasing too many CH-53Ks while still testing its capabilities, GAO finds March 10 A CH-53K King Stallion lifts a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle during a demonstration. Using the single point hook, the helicopter hovered up to 100 feet for approximately 10 minutes while carrying the 18,870-pound vehicle. (Navy) The Marine Corps should purchase fewer CH-53K King Stallions while it is still testing the helicopter’s capabilities, a new report from the Government Accountability Office found. In addition to its recommendation to reduce the low-rate initial production purchases of the Corps’ future heavy lift helicopter, the report raised concerns over the program’s price and Sikorsky’s ability to produce the helicopters at the planned rate.