Spirit AeroSystems [SPR] announced on June 19 it will begin major assembly of the fifth CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter to be used by the U.S. Marine Corps in September.

Spirit will assemble the cockpit and cabin structures for the CH-53K helicopter and deliver the completed fuselage to Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky aircraft manufacturer. Spirit will receive or manufacture nearly 1,500 individual parts for the production of this fifth helicopter.

“We are excited to start on the fifth SDTA CH-53K King Stallion and support a significant upgrade for the warfighter,” Vice President of Defense Programs for Spirit AeroSystems Tony Kondritis said in a statement. “The lightweight composite structures we are providing to Sikorsky will give the Marine Corps a much-needed additional capability. We look forward to continuing to deliver on this program for many years to come.”

The CH-53K is designed to conduct unrefueled missions while carrying 27,000 pounds of cargo over a span of 110 nautical miles. The heavy-lift helicopter can handle three times the carrying load of the current CH-53E Super Stallion.

The Department of Defense has set its Program of Record for the CH-53K at 200 eventual aircraft. Sikorsky previously announced earlier in 2017 that the helicopter achieved the Milestone C designation needed to enable low-rate initial production.

“The CH-53K program demonstrates Spirit’s capabilities as a supplier of major structures to the defense industry,” Spirit Senior Vice President of Boeing & Defense Programs Duane Hawkins said in a statement. “We look forward to the day when this capability is in the hands of the warfighter and they are equipped to carry more cargo in more demanding operational environments and then return home safely.”