A workhorse if there ever was one, the CH-53 is a long overdue addition to the JE line-up. The Sea Stallion was developed in the early 1960s for the U.S. Marine Corps, which needed a larger and more powerful replacement for earlier transport helicopters. The prototype first flew in 1964 and entered service later in 1966. The CH-53A was powered by two turboshaft engines and featured a large rear-loading cargo ramp, six-blade main rotor, external cargo hook capability, and folding rotor/tail features for shipboard use. It saw heavy combat during the Vietnam War, where its lifting power and range made it valuable for assault support, recovery missions, logistics, and aircraft retrieval. The CH-53A established the basic Sea Stallion design that led to improved variants such as the CH-53D, specialized Air Force HH/MH-53 rescue and special operations helicopters, and eventually the larger three-engine Super Stallion family.