Nick got the jump on the media on the SDD decision, but it's confirmed in this week's
Flight. Key take-away here is that the House's attempt to merge the program with the even larger (but much later) JHL program has been defeated, at least for now.
Although the CH-53X does get the 7-blade composite rotor, I was surprised to hear last year that the cathedral tips had been dropped. This was supposed to have been one of the technologies salvaged from Comanche.
And I really wouldn't hold your breath for an aircrane variant anytime soon...
I/C