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posted by Jiri Wagner
Development of the medium lift Boeing Vertol (models 114 and 414) CH-47 Series Chinook began in 1956. Since then, the effectiveness of the Chinook has been continually upgraded by successive product improvements, the CH-47A, CH-47B, CH-47C, and CH-47D.
CH-47A, first delivered for use in Vietnam in 1962, is a tandem-rotor medium transport helicopter. The Chinook's primary mission is moving artillery, ammunition, personnel, and supplies on the battlefield. It also performs rescue, MedEvac, parachuting, and aircraft recovery.
CH-47D was the result of June 1976 contract for a modernized Chinook. Three airframes, CH-47A, CH-47B, and a CH-47C, were stripped-down to their basic airframes and then rebuilt with improved systems to provide three CH-47D prototypes. Improvements included upgraded power plants, rotor transmissions, integral lubrication and cooling for the transmission systems, and fiberglass rotor blades. Other improvements included a redesigned cockpit to reduce pilot workload, redundant and improved electrical systems, modularized hydraulic systems, an advanced flight control system, and improved avionics. The Chinook has two tandem three-bladed counter-rotating fiberglass rotors. The CH-47D is powered by two Allied Signal Engines T55-L-712 3750 shp turboshaft engines.
The CH-47D was rolled-out in March 1979. The CH-47D carrys twice the load of a CH-47A and has improved performance. The CH-47D can operate at night and in nearly all weather conditions. The Chinook can accommodate a wide variety of internal payloads, including vehicles, artillery pieces or personnel.
General characteristics |
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| Primary function | Two rotors medium lift assault helicopter | ||
| Contractor | Boeing Vertol Company | ||
| Power plant | Two Avco Lycoming T55-L-712 turboshafts | ||
| Thrust | 2x 3,750 HP | 2x 2,796 kW | |
| Fuselage length | 51 ft | 15,54 m | |
| Height | 18.63 ft | 5.68 m | |
| Rotor diameter | 60 ft | 18.29 m | |
| Weight | empty | 23,094 lb | 10,475 kg |
| max. takeoff | 50,000 lb | 22,680 kg | |
| Speed | max. | 181 mph | 291 km/h |
| cruising | 159 mph | 256 km/h | |
| Initial climb rate | 22.3 ft/s | 6.8 m/s | |
| Range | 115 miles | 185 km | |
| Ceiling | 22,100 ft | 6,735 m | |
| Crew | Two or three | ||
| Accommodation | Up to 44 troops, 24 stretchers and 2 attendants, vehicles or freight. A sling load of 28,000lb (12,700kg) is possible as a flying crane. | ||
| Armament | Can be equipped with two door mounting M60D 7.62mm machine guns on the M24 armament subsystem and a ramp mounting M60D using the M41 armament subsystem. | ||
Boeing Awarded U.S. Army Contracts for CH-47F Chinook / 2007-01-03
Boeing Signs Contract for Dutch Chinooks / 2007-02-15
Boeing's New CH-47F Chinook Helicopter Completes U.S. Army Operational Test Flights / 2007-06-18
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