In June 1962 the Marines developed a requirement for a 33,000 lb machine that would carry 33 troops at 200 mph. The competition came down to the CH-53A and the CH-47A both medium lift machines in the eyes of the US Army, who at the time was developing the HLH a true Heavy lifter. Each machine had the capability to dash at 170 kts (196 mph) while carrying 33 troops. The first flight followed 2 years and 4 months later in Oct 1964. The first CH-53As were introduced to the fleet in June 1966, fours years from the program inception. (Pretty amazing by todays standards) The D was just a growth version of the A. The E was conceived as an improved D being developed as an ECP to the D. Initially, only 16 were to be built as an interim heavy lift machine. The program then grew to a full production of new machines built from the ground up. A total of 152 CH-53Es were built followed by 31, MH-53Es for the Navy and 11, S-80M-1s built for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces. It is my belief that the CH-53A/Ds were medium lifters while the E was an interim quasi- heavy lifter. With an empty weight of 35,000 lbs and a gross weight of more than 50,000 lbs, the V-22 is more suited for comparison the 53 series. As a side not the CH-53As were purchased for approximately $300,000, a staggering figure at the time as it was compared to purchasing a C-130 for the same price.
