Boeing CH - 47 Chinook The Boeing CH - 47 Chinook is an American twin - engine , tandem rotor heavy - lift helicopter . Its primary roles are troop movement , artillery placement and battlefield resupply . It has a wide loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage and three external - cargo hooks . With a top speed of 170 knots ( 196 mph , 315 km / h ) the helicopter is faster than contemporary utility and attack helicopters of the 1960s . The CH - 47 is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters . Its name is from the Native American Chinook people . The Chinook was designed and initially produced by Boeing Vertol in the early 1960s ; it is now produced by Boeing Rotorcraft Systems . It is one of the few aircraft of that era – along with the fixed - wing Lockheed C - 130 Hercules cargo aircraft – that remain in production and front - line service , with over 1 , 179 built to date . The helicopter has been sold to 16 nations with the U . S . Army and the Royal Air Force ( see Boeing Chinook ( UK variants ) ) its largest users . Design and development . Early development . In late 1956 , the United States Department of the Army announced plans to replace the Sikorsky CH - 37 Mojave , which was powered by piston engines , with a new , turbine - powered helicopter . Turbine engines were also a key design feature of the smaller UH - 1 " Huey " utility helicopter . Following a design competition , in September 1958 , a joint Army – Air Force source selection board recommended that the Army procure the Vertol medium transport helicopter . However , funding for full - scale development was not then available , and the Army vacillated on its design requirements . Some in the Army aviation corps thought that the new helicopter should be a light tactical transport aimed at taking over the missions of the old piston - engined H - 21 and H - 34 helicopters , and consequently capable of carrying about fifteen troops ( one squad ) . Another faction in the Army aviation corps thought that the new helicopter should be much larger to be able to airlift a large artillery piece , and have enough internal space to carry the new MGM - 31 " Pershing " Missile System . Vertol began work on a new tandem - rotor helicopter designated Vertol Model 107 or V - 107 in 1957 . In June 1958 , the U . S . Army awarded a contract to Vertol for the aircraft under the YHC - 1A designation . The YHC - 1A had a capacity for 20 troops . Three were tested by the Army for deriving engineering and operational data . However , the YHC - 1A was considered by most of the Army users to be too heavy for the assault role and too light for the transport role . The decision was made to procure a heavier transport helicopter and at the same time upgrade the UH - 1 " Huey " as a tactical troop transport . The YHC - 1A would be improved and adopted by the Marines as the CH - 46 Sea Knight in 1962 . The Army then ordered the larger Model 114 under the designation HC - 1B . The pre - production Boeing Vertol YCH - 1B made its initial hovering flight on 21 September 1961 . In 1962 the HC - 1B was redesignated the " CH - 47A " under the 1962 United States Tri - Service aircraft designation system . It was named " Chinook " , which alludes to the Chinook people of the Pacific Northwest . The CH - 47 is powered by two turboshaft engines , mounted on each side of the helicopter ' s rear pylon and connected to the rotors by driveshafts . Initial models were fitted with Lycoming T - 53 jet engines with a combined rating of 2 , 200 shaft horsepower . Subsequent versions of the Chinook were configured with improved Lycoming engines and later with General Electric turbines . The counter - rotating rotors eliminate the need for an anti - torque vertical rotor , allowing all power to be used for lift and thrust . The ability to adjust lift in either rotor makes it less sensitive to changes in the center of gravity , important for the cargo lifting role . If one engine fails , the other can drive both rotors . The " sizing " of the Chinook was directly related to the growth of the Huey and the Army ' s tacticians ' insistence that initial air assaults be built around the squad . The Army pushed for both the Huey and the Chinook , and this focus was responsible for the acceleration of its air mobility effort . Improved and later versions . Improved and more powerful versions of the CH - 47 have been developed since the helicopter entered service . The U . S . Army ' s first major design leap was the now - common CH - 47D , which entered service in 1982 . Improvements from the CH - 47C included upgraded engines , composite rotor blades , a redesigned cockpit to reduce pilot workload , improved and redundant electrical systems , an advanced flight control system and improved avionics . The latest mainstream generation is the CH - 47F , which features several major upgrades to reduce maintenance , digitized flight controls , and is powered by two 4 , 733 - horsepower Honeywell engines . A commercial model of the Chinook , the " Boeing - Vertol Model 234 " , is used worldwide for logging , construction , fighting forest fires , and supporting petroleum extraction operations . On 15 December 2006 , the Columbia Helicopters company of the Salem , Oregon , metropolitan area , purchased the Type certificate of the Model 234 from Boeing . The Chinook has also been licensed to be built by companies outside of the United States , such as Elicotteri Meridionali ( now AgustaWestland ) in Italy , and Kawasaki in Japan . Operational history . Vietnam War . The Army finally settled on the larger Chinook as its standard medium transport helicopter and as of February 1966 , 161 aircraft had been delivered to the Army . The 1st Cavalry Division had brought their organic Chinook battalion with them when they arrived in 1965 and a separate aviation medium helicopter company , the 147th , had arrived in Vietnam on 29 November 1965 . This latter company was initially placed in direct support of the 1st Infantry Division . The most spectacular mission in Vietnam for the Chinook was the placing of artillery batteries in perilous mountain positions inaccessible by any other means , and then keeping them resupplied with large quantities of ammunition . The 1st Cavalry Division found that its CH - 47s were limited to a payload when operating in the mountains , but could carry an additional when operating near the coast . The early Chinook design was limited by its rotor system which did not permit full use of the installed power , and users were anxious for an improved version which would upgrade this system . As with any new piece of equipment , the Chinook presented a major problem of " customer education " . Commanders and crew chiefs had to be constantly alert that eager soldiers did not overload the temptingly large cargo compartment . It would be some time before troops would be experts at using sling loads . The Chinook soon proved to be such an invaluable aircraft for artillery movement and heavy logistics that it was seldom used as an assault troop carrier . Some of the Chinook fleet were used for casualty evacuation , due to the very heavy demand for the helicopters they were usually overburdened with wounded . Perhaps the most cost effective use of the Chinook was the recovery of other downed aircraft . The CH - 47s are generally armed with a single 7 . 62 - millimeter M60 machine gun on a pintle mount on either side of the machine for self - defense , with stops fitted to keep the gunners from firing into the rotor blades . Dust filters were also added to improve engine reliability . At its peak employment in Vietnam , there were 22 Chinook units in operation . Of the nearly 750 Chinook helicopters in the U . S . and South Vietnam fleets , about 200 were lost in combat or wartime operational accidents . The U . S . Army CH - 47s supported the 1st Australian Task Force as required . Iran - Iraq War . During the 1970s , the United States and Iran had a strong relationship , in which the Iranian armed forces began to use many American military aircraft , most notably the F - 14 Tomcat , as part of a modernisation programme . After an agreement signed between Boeing and Elicotteri Meridionali , the Imperial Iranian Air Force purchased 20 Elicotteri Meridionali - built CH - 47Cs in 1971 . The Imperial Iranian Army Aviation purchased 70 CH - 47Cs from Elicotteri Meridionali during the period of 1972 – 1976 . In late 1978 , Iran placed an order for an additional 50 helicopters with Elicotteri Meridionali , but that order was canceled immediately after the revolution . Despite the arms embargo in place upon Iran , it has managed to keep its Chinook fleet operational . In the 1978 Iranian Chinook shootdown , four Iranian CH - 47Cs penetrated 15 – 20 km into Soviet airspace in the Turkmenistan Military District . They were intercepted by a MiG - 23M which shot down one Chinook , killing eight crew members , and forced a second one to land . Chinook helicopters were used in efforts by the Imperial Iranian loyalist forces to resist the 1979 Iranian revolution . During the war with Iraq , Iran made heavy use of its US - bought equipment , and lost at least 8 CH - 47s during the 1980 – 1988 period ; most notably during a clash on 15 July 1983 , where an Iraqi Mirage F - 1 destroyed three Iranian CH - 47s transporting troops to the front line , and on 25 – 26 February 1984 , when Iraqi MiG - 21 fighters shot down two Chinooks . Falklands War . The Chinook was used both by Argentina and the United Kingdom during the Falklands War in 1982 . The Argentine Air Force and the Argentine Army each deployed two CH - 47C helicopters , which were widely used in general transport duties . Of the Army ' s aircraft , one was destroyed on the ground by a Harrier while the other was captured by the British and reused after the war . Both Argentine Air Force helicopters returned to Argentina and remained in service until 2002 . Afghanistan and Iraq wars . Approximately 163 CH - 47Ds of various operators were deployed to Saudi Arabia , Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Desert Shield and the subsequent Operation Desert Storm in 1990 – 91 . The CH - 47D has seen wide use in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq . The Chinook is being used in air assault missions , inserting troops into fire base s and later bringing food , water , and ammunition . It is also the casualty evacuation ( casevac ) aircraft of choice in the British Armed Forces . In combat theaters , it is typically escorted by attack helicopters such as the AH - 64 Apache for protection . Its lift capacity has been found of particular value in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan where high altitudes and temperatures limit the use of helicopters such as UH - 60 Black Hawk ; reportedly , one Chinook can replace up to five UH - 60s in the air assault transport role . The Chinook helicopters of several nations have participated in the Afghanistan War , including aircraft from Britain , Italy , the Netherlands , Spain , Canada , and Australia . Despite the age of the Chinook , it is still in heavy demand , in part due its proven versatility and ability to operate in demanding environments such as Afghanistan . On 6 August 2011 , a Chinook crashed near Kabul killing all of the 38 aboard . It was reportedly shot down with a rocket - propelled grenade by the Taliban . The 38 were members of NATO and allied forces , including about 30 U . S . special forces and seven Afghan troops . The previous biggest single - day loss for American forces in Afghanistan involved a Chinook that was shot down near Kabul in Kunar Province in June 2005 with the death of all aboard , including a 16 - member U . S . Special Operations team . In May 2011 an Australian Army CH - 47D crashed during a resupply mission in Zabul Province , resulting in one fatality and five survivors . The helicopter was unable to be recovered and was destroyed in place . To compensate for the loss , the ADF added two ex - U . S . Army CH - 47Ds to the fleet and are expected to be service until the introduction of the CH - 47Fs in 2016 . Disaster relief and other roles . Since the type ' s inception , the Chinook has carried out secondary missions including medical evacuation , disaster relief , search and rescue , aircraft recovery , fire fighting , and heavy construction assistance . According to Suresh Abraham , the Chinook ' s ability to carry large underslung loads has been of significant value in relief operations in the aftermath of natural disaster s . Chinooks operators have often deployed their fleets overseas to support humanitarian efforts in stricken nations ; Chinooks of the Republic of Singapore Air Force assisted in relief operations in neighboring Indonesia following the 2004 Asian Tsumani , and after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake the Royal Air Force dispatched Chinooks to Northern Pakistan to assist in recovery efforts . Three Japanese CH - 47s were used to cool Reactors 3 and 4 of the Fukushima Nuclear power - plant with sea water after the 9 . 0 earthquake in 2011 ; to protect the crew from heightened radiation levels , lead plates were attached to the floor . Variants . HC - 1B . The pre - 1962 designation for Model 114 development aircraft that would be re - designated CH - 47 Chinook . CH - 47A . The all - weather , medium - lift CH - 47A Chinook was powered initially by Lycoming T55 - L - 5 engines rated at but then replaced by the T55 - L - 7 rated at engines or T55 - L - 7C engines rated at . The CH - 47A had a maximum gross weight of . allowing for a maximum payload of approximately Initial delivery of the CH - 47A Chinook to the U . S . Army was in August 1962 . A total of 349 were built . ACH - 47A . The ACH - 47A was originally known as the Armed / Armored CH - 47A ( or A / ACH - 47A ) . It was officially designated ACH - 47A by U . S . Army " Attack Cargo Helicopter " and unofficially " Guns A Go - Go " . Four CH - 47A helicopters were converted to gunships by Boeing Vertol in late 1965 . Three were assigned to the 53rd Aviation Detachment in South Vietnam for testing , with the remaining one retained in the U . S . for weapons testing . By 1966 , the 53rd was redesignated the 1st Aviation Detachment ( Provisional ) and attached to the 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division ( Airmobile ) . By 1968 , only one gunship remained , and logistical concerns prevented more conversions . It was returned to the United States , and the program stopped . The ACH - 47A carried five M60D 7 . 62 × 51 mm machine guns or M2HB . 50 caliber machine guns , provided by the XM32 and XM33 armament subsystems , two M24A1 20 mm cannons , two XM159B / XM159C 19 - Tube rocket launchers or sometimes two M18 / M18A1 7 . 62 × 51 mm gun pod s , and a single M75 40 mm grenade launcher in the XM5 / M5 armament subsystem ( more commonly seen on the UH - 1 series of helicopters ) . The surviving aircraft , Easy Money , has been restored and is on display at Redstone Arsenal , Alabama . CH - 47B . The CH - 47B was an interim solution while Boeing worked on a more substantially improved CH - 47C . CH - 47B was powered by two Lycoming T55 - L - 7C 2 , 850 shp ( 2 , 130 kW ) engines . It featured a blunted rear rotor pylon , redesigned asymmetrical rotor blades , and strakes along the rear ramp and fuselage to improve flying characteristics . It could be equipped with two door - mounted M60D 7 . 62 mm NATO machine gun s on the M24 armament subsystem and a ramp - mounted M60D using the M41 armament subsystem . Some CH - 47 " bombers " were equipped to drop tear gas or napalm from the rear cargo ramp onto NLF ( aka Việt Cộng ) bunkers . The CH - 47 could be equipped with a hoist and cargo hook . The Chinook proved especially valuable in " Pipe Smoke " aircraft recovery missions . The " Hook " recovered about 12 , 000 aircraft valued at over $ 3 . 6 billion during the war . 108 built . CH - 47C . The CH - 47C featured more powerful engines and transmissions . Three versions of the " C model " were built . The first had Lycoming T55 - L - 7C engines delivering . The " Super C " included Lycoming T55 - L - 11 engines delivering , an upgraded maximum gross weight of and a pitch stability augmentation system ( PSAS ) . Due to difficulties with the T55 - L - 11 engines , which were hurriedly introduced to increase payload , they were temporarily removed and the reliable Lycoming T55 - L - 7C ' s were installed . The type was distinguishable from the standard " C " by the uprated maximum gross weight . The type was unable to receive FAA certification to engage in civil activities due to the non - redundant hydraulic flight boost system drive . A redesign of the hydraulic boost system drive was incorporated in the succeeding CH - 47D , allowing that model to achieve certification as the Boeing Model 234 . A total of 233 CH - 47Cs were built . Canada bought a total of eight CH - 47Cs , deliveries of the type began in 1974 . Receiving the Canadian designation " CH - 147 " , these were fitted with a power hoist above the crew door , other changes included a flight engineer station in the rear cabin , Boeing referred to the configuration as the " Super C " . The CH - 47C saw wide use during the Vietnam war , eventually replacing the older H - 21 Shawnee in the combat assault support role . CH - 47D . The CH - 47D shares the same airframe as earlier models , the main difference being the adoption of more powerful engines . Early CH - 47Ds were originally powered by two T55 - L - 712 engines , the most common engine is the later T55 - GA - 714A . With its triple - hook cargo system , the CH - 47D can carry heavy payloads internally and up to ( such as containers ) externally . The D - model was first introduced into service in 1979 . In air assault operations , it often serves as the principal mover of the 155 mm M198 howitzer , accompanying 30 rounds of ammunition and an 11 - man crew . The CH - 47D also has advanced avionics , such as the Global Positioning System . Nearly all US Army CH - 47D were conversions from previous A , B , and C models , a total of 472 converted into D - models . The last U . S . Army D - model built was delivered to the U . S . Army Reserve , located at Fort Hood , Texas , in 2002 . The Netherlands acquired all seven of the Canadian Forces ' surviving CH - 147s and upgraded them to CH - 47D standard . Six more new - build CH - 47Ds were delivered in 1995 for a total of 13 . The Dutch CH - 47D feature a number of improvements over U . S . Army CH - 47Ds , including a long nose for Bendix weather radar , a " glass cockpit " , and improved T55 - L - 714 engines . As of 2011 , the Netherlands shall upgrade 11 of these which will be updated to the CH - 47F standard at a later date . As of 2011 , Singapore has 18 CH - 47D / SDs , which includes twelve " Super D " Chinooks , in service . In 2008 , Canada purchased 6 CH - 47Ds from the U . S . for the Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan for $ 252 million . MH - 47D . The MH - 47D variant was developed for special forces operations and has in - flight refueling capability , a fast - rope rappelling system and other upgrades . The MH - 47D was used by U . S . Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment . 12 MH - 47D helicopters were produced . 6 were conversions from CH - 47A models and 6 were conversions from CH - 47C models . MH - 47E . The MH - 47E has been used by U . S . Army Special Operations . Beginning with the E - model prototype manufactured in 1991 , there were a total of 26 Special Operations Aircraft produced . All aircraft were assigned to 2 – 160th SOAR ( A ) " Nightstalkers " , home based at Fort Campbell Kentucky . E models were conversions from existing CH - 47C model airframes . The MH - 47E has similar capabilities as the MH - 47D , but includes an increased fuel capacity similar to the CH - 47SD and terrain following / terrain avoidance radar . In 1995 , the Royal Air Force ordered eight Chinook HC3s , effectively a low cost version of the MH - 47E for the special forces operations role . They were delivered in 2001 but never entered operational service due to technical issues with their avionics fit , unique to the HC3 . In 2008 , work started to downgrade the HC3s to HC2 standard , to enable them to enter service . CH - 47F . The first CH - 47F , an upgraded D model , took it 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 . Upgrades included new Honeywell engines , an upgraded airframe featuring greater single - piece construction for lower maintenance requirements . The milled construction reduces vibrations , eliminate flexing points , and reduces inspection and repair needs ; it is also expected to increase service life . The CH - 47F can fly at speeds of over with a payload of more than . New avionics include a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System ( CAAS ) cockpit , and BAE Systems ' Digital Advanced Flight Control System ( DAFCS ) . Boeing has delivered 48 F - model helicopters to the U . S . Army through August 2008 ; at that time Boeing announced a five - year contract with the Army , worth over $ 4 . 8 billion for 191 more , plus 24 options . In February 2007 , the Netherlands became the first international customer , ordering six CH - 47Fs , expanding their current fleet to 17 . The Netherlands also plans to upgrade its current 11 CH - 47Ds to the CH - 47F configuration . On 10 August 2009 , Canada signed a contract to purchase 15 CH - 47Fs for delivery in 2013 – 14 , entering service with the Royal Canadian Air Force . On 15 December 2009 , Britain announced its Future Helicopter Strategy , including the purchase of 24 new CH - 47Fs to be delivered from 2012 . Australia ordered seven CH - 47Fs in March 2010 to replace its six CH - 47Ds between 2014 and 2017 . AgustaWestland also domestically assembles a variant of the CH - 47F under license , the Chinook ICH - 47F , for several European nations . Boeing and the US Army are planning a CH - 47F Block 2 to be introduced after 2020 . The Block 2 is aiming at a payload of 22 , 000 lb with 4 , 000 ft / 95 °F high / hot hover performance , with an eventual increase up to 6 , 000 ft / 95 °F , to carry the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle . It is to feature the advanced Chinook rotor blade ( ACRB ) , derived from the canceled RAH - 66 Commanche , 20 percent more powerful Honeywell T55 - 715 engines , and the active parallel actuator system ( APAS ) . The APAS is to enhance the Chinook ' s digital advanced flight - control system , and provide an exact torque split between the rotors for more efficient use of performance . 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 a 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 . The new modernization program improves MH - 47D and MH - 47E Special Operations Chinook helicopters to the MH - 47G design specs . A total of 25 MH - 47E and 11 MH - 47D aircraft were upgraded by the end of 2003 . In 2002 the army announced plans to expand the Special Operations Aviation Regiment . The expansion would add 12 additional MH - 47G helicopters . On 10 February 2011 , leaders and employees from the H - 47 program gathered for a ceremony at Boeing ' s helicopter facility in Ridley Park , PA , to commemorate the delivery of the final MH - 47G Chinook to U . S . Army Special Operations Command . Modernization of MH - 47D / E Chinooks to MH - 47G standard is due for completion in 2015 . CH - 47J . The CH - 47J is a medium - transport helicopter for the Japan Ground Self - Defense Force ( JGSDF ) , and the Japan Air Self - Defense Force ( JASDF ) . The differences between the CH - 47J and the CH - 47D are the engine , rotor brake and avionics . To use it by the general transportation , SAR and disaster activity like U . S . forces . The CH - 47JA , introduced in 1993 , is a long range version of the CH - 47J , fitted with enlarged fuel tank , an AAQ - 16 FLIR in a turret under the nose , and a partial glass cockpit . Both versions are built under license in Japan by Kawasaki Heavy Industries , who produced 61 aircraft by April 2001 . The Japan Defense Agency ordered 54 aircraft of which 39 were for the JGSDF and 15 were for the JASDF . Boeing supplied flyable aircraft , to which Kawasaki added full avionics , interior , and final paint . The CH - 47J model Chinook ( N7425H ) made its first flight in January 1986 , and it was sent to Kawasaki in April . Boeing began delivering five CH - 47J kits in September 1985 for assembly at Kawasaki . HH - 47 . On 9 November 2006 , the HH - 47 , a new variant of the Chinook based on the MH - 47G , was selected by the U . S . Air Force as the winner of the Combat Search and Rescue ( CSAR - X ) competition . Four development HH - 47s were to be built , with the first of 141 production aircraft planned to enter service in 2012 . However , in February 2007 the contract award was protested and the GAO ordered the CSAR - X project to be re - bid . In February 2010 , the U . S . Air Force announced plans to replace aging HH - 60G helicopters . The Air Force is deferring secondary combat search and rescue requirements that called for a larger helicopter . Other export models . The Royal Air Force variant of the CH - 47C is known as the Chinook HC1 . The export version of the CH - 47C Chinook for the Italian Army was designated " CH - 47C Plus " . The Royal Air Force versions of the CH - 47D are known as the Chinook HC2 and HC2A . The HH - 47D is a search and rescue version for the Republic of Korea Air Force . The CH - 47DG is an upgraded version of the CH - 47C for Greece . While the CH - 47SD ( also known as the " Super D " ) is a modified variant of the CH - 47D , with extended range fuel tanks and higher payload carrying capacity ; the CH - 47SD is currently in use by the Republic of Singapore Air Force , Hellenic Army and the Republic of China Army . Eight CH - 47Cs were delivered to the Canadian Forces in 1974 . These helicopters were in Canadian service until 1991 , with the designation " CH - 147 " . These aircraft were subsequently sold to the Netherlands and are now operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force as CH - 47Ds . Plans are to completely replace the current fleet of 17 CH - 47Ds with the F - model and enlarge the fleet to 20 aircraft , pending funding . Derivatives . In 1969 , work on the experimental Model 347 was begun . It was a CH - 47A with a lengthened fuselage , four - blade rotors , detachable wings mounted on top of the fuselage and other changes . It first flew on 27 May 1970 and was evaluated for a few years . In 1973 , the Army contracted Boeing to design a " Heavy Lift Helicopter " ( HLH ) , designated XCH - 62A . It appeared to be a scaled - up CH - 47 without a conventional body , in a configuration similar to the S - 64 Skycrane ( CH - 54 Tarhe ) , but the project was canceled in 1975 . The program was restarted for test flights in the 1980s and was again not funded by Congress . The scaled up model of the HLH was scrapped at the end of 2005 at Fort Rucker , Alabama .