Ruin your computer screen moment...the troubled CH-53K is costing 152 mil per copy!

via Marine Corps Times

But those capabilities come with a hefty price tag that is now getting larger as the Corps seeks to correct design deficiencies.

The King Stallion was sitting at nearly $138 million per aircraft after factoring research and development and total acquisition costs. And the first awarded contract to Sikorsky Aircraft for two low-rate initial productions of the heavy-lift helicopter was valued at $303,974,406, or almost $152 million per aircraft.
The Corps has argued that fly away costs are the best way to gauge the price tag, which was hovering around $87 million per aircraft.

But the Corps is requesting more money in its fiscal year 2019 request to support development and testing and to ensure the helicopter meets its first expected deployment date in 2023 or 2024.

“The Marine Corps has fully funded the CH-53K account for the past few fiscal years, and will continue to do so to field a critical capability in the near future,” Harrison said.

Story here. 

Jesus.  I like the CH-53K.  I think the Corps needs the CH-53K.  BUT!!!!  At what point do you say enough is enough and you instead go with the good enough CH-47F?  When do you say that 2.5 CH-47's can do the job, yet still cost about the same as one CH-53K?

I don't know but we're getting real close to the point if we're not there already.