CH-47 Chinook

CH-47 Chinook (Transport helicopter) – 109

Manufacturer: Boeing Rotorcraft Systems

First flight: 21 September 1961

Introduction: 1962

Produced: 1962-present

Number built: Over 1,200 as of 2012

Unit cost: $38.55 million (CH-47F, FY13)

Crew: 3 (pilot, copilot, flight engineer)

Capacity:

33-55 troops; or

24 litters and 3 attendants; or

12,700 kg cargo

Length: 30.1 m with rotors

Rotor diameter: 18.3 m

Height: 5.7 m

Disc area: 520 m²

Empty weight: 10,185 kg

Loaded weight: 12,100 kg

Max. takeoff weight: 22,680 kg

Powerplant: 2× Lycoming T55-GA-714A turboshaft, 4,733 hp (3,529 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 315 km/h

Cruise speed: 240 km/h

Range: 741 km

Combat radius: 370.4 km

Ferry range: 2,252 km

Service ceiling: 5,640 m

Rate of climb: 7.73 m/s

Disc loading: 47 kg/ m²

Power/mass: 460 W/kg

Armament

Up to 3 pintle mounted medium machine guns (1 on loading ramp and 2 at shoulder windows), generally 7.62 mm M240/FN MAG machine guns

Avionics

Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS)

CH-47F

The first CH-47F, an upgraded D model, made its maiden flight in 2001; the first production rolled out on 15 June 2006 at Boeing's facility in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and first flew on 23 October 2006.

MH-47G

The MH-47G Special Operations Aviation (SOA) version is currently being delivered to the U.S. Army. It is similar to the MH-47E, but features more sophisticated avionics including a digital Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS). The CAAS is a common glass cockpit used by different helicopters such as MH-60K/Ls, CH-53E/Ks, and ARH-70As. The MH-47G also incorporates all of the new sections of the CH-47F.