Status of the CH-53E Helicopter Program

The CH-53E helicopter is being developed to provide the Navy and the Marine Corps with a shipboard helicopter with greatly increased lift capability. It was intended to be a modified version of the CH-53D model; however, it now more closely resembles a new aircraft because of improvements incorporated during the development stage. The Navy expected to complete engineering development in November 1976 and to award a production contract in February 1977 for 10 aircraft. In August 1976, the Navy extended the research and development effort and deferred the procurement decision until January 1978.