Boeing CH-47 Chinook

The CH-47 Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem rotor, heavy-lift transport helicopter developed by Boeing Vertol. It saw extensive use with the Imperial Army and the Imperial Guard during the Third Great War and remains in service with both forces in its latest iterations (CH-47F and MH-47G). It has also been exported to various independent states.

## Variants

**HC-1B:** The pre-1962 designation for Model 114 development aircraft that would be redesignated CH-47 Chinook.

**CH-47A:** The all-weather, medium-lift CH-47A Chinook was powered initially by Lycoming T55-L-5 engines rated at 1,640 kW, but then replaced by the T55-L-7 rated at 1,980 kW engines or T55-L-7C engines rated at 2,130 kW. The CH-47A had a maximum gross weight of 15,000 kg, allowing for a maximum payload around 4,500 kg.

**CH-47B:** The CH-47B was an interim solution while Boeing worked on a more substantially improved CH-47C. The CH-47B was powered by two Lycoming T55-L-7C 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 MG3 7.62 mm NATO machine guns on the M24 armament subsystem and a ramp-mounted MG3 using the M41 armament subsystem.

**CH-47C:** The CH-47C principally featured more powerful engines and transmissions. Three sub-versions were built; the first had Lycoming T55-L-7C engines delivering 2,130 kW. The "Super C" included Lycoming T55-L-11 engines delivering 2,800 kW, an upgraded maximum gross weight of 21,000 kg, and a pitch stability augmentation system. The T55-L-11 engines suffered difficulties, as they had been hurriedly introduced to increase payload; thus, they were temporarily replaced by the more reliable Lycoming T55-L-7C. The type was distinguishable from the standard "C" by the uprated maximum gross weight.

**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 12,000 kg (such as 12-metre containers) externally. It was first introduced into service in 1979. In air assault operations, it often serves as the principal mover of the 155 mm FH70 howitzer, accompanying 30 rounds of ammunition, and an 11-man crew. The CH-47D also has advanced avionics, such as the Global Positioning System.

**MH-47D:** The MH-47D variant was developed for special forces operations and has inflight refueling capability, a fast rope-rappelling system, and other upgrades.

**MH-47E:** First introduced in 1991. 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.

**CH-47F:** Introduced in 2006. Upgrades include 3,630 kW Honeywell engines and the airframe featuring greater single-piece construction to lower maintenance requirements. The milled construction reduces vibration, as well as inspection and repair needs, and eliminates flexing points to increase service life. The CH-47F can fly at speeds of over 282 km/h with a payload of more than 9,500 kg. New avionics include a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit, and BAE Systems' Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS).

**MH-47G:** First introduced in 2014. It is similar to the MH-47E, but features more sophisticated avionics including a digital Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS). The MH-47G also incorporates all of the new sections of the CH-47F.

## Specifications (CH-47)

**General characteristics**

* **Crew:** 3 (pilot, copilot, flight engineer or loadmaster)
* **Capacity:**
	+ 33–55 troops *or*
	+ 24 stretchers and 3 attendants *or*
	+ 10,886 kg payload
* **Length:** 30 m
* **Fuselage length:** 16 m
* **Width:** 3.78 m (fuselage)
* **Height:** 5.77 m
* **Empty weight:** 11,148 kg
* **Max takeoff weight:** 22,680 kg
* **Powerplant:** 2 × Lycoming T55-GA-714A turboshaft engines, 3,529 kW each
* **Main rotor diameter:** 8 m
* **Main rotor area:** 520 m2
* **Blade section:** *root:* Boeing VR-7; *tip:* Boeing VR-8

**Performance**

* **Maximum speed:** 315 km/h
* **Cruise speed:** 296 km/h
* **Range:** 740 km
* **Combat range:** 370 km
* **Ferry range:** 2,252 km
* **Service ceiling:** 6,100 m
* **Rate of climb:** 7.73 m/s
* **Disk loading:** 46 kg/m2
* **Power/mass:** 0.46 kW/kg

**Armament**

* Up to 3 pintle-mounted medium machine guns (1 on loading ramp and 2 at shoulder windows), generally 7.62 mm MG3, FN MAG or MG5 machine guns, and can be armed with the 7.62 mm M134 Minigun rotary machine gun.

**Avionics**

* Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) (MH-47G/CH-47F)