The weightlifting champions of the rotor-wing class are the Sikorsky CH/MH 53E helicopters, designed for use by the U.S. Marines and the Navy, respectively. They can raise payloads of 16 tons, thanks to their trio of General Electric engines-the CH-53E has three 4,380-hp T64-GE-416As; the MH-53E has three 4,750-hp T64-GE-419s-which turn a massive (79-foot diameter) seven-bladed rotor. That means they can transport large trucks, small airplanes, tons of supplies, or as many as 55 combat troops at a cruising speed of 150 knots. What's more, the Sikorsky CH-53E is the only chopper that lifts the M198 155mm howitzer and variants of the Marines' Light Armored Vehicle.
Cost: About $30 million, depending on configuration.
Station four of these between Everett and Olympia. Additionally there would need to be small local areas to deposit the vehicles, perhaps near park and ride locations.