The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American, heavy-lift, cargo, and troop-transport helicopter which has been in service with the US Army since 1962. It was first used in combat in December 1965 in Vietnam. The CH-47 was also employed by the Iranian Air Force during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. In Afghanistan and Iraq, it has been used by the US and European armies. The Chinook is a versatile, powerful, rugged, and capable helicopter that can adapt to different tasks and missions, with a large, rear, loading ramp and a long cargo bay. It can lift loads where other helicopters cannot; it can transport howitzers, trucks, and even other helicopters. Today it remains in service with new updated versions, which are equipped with better engines and advanced avionics, as the CH-47F.
Designed to meet US Army requirement for a heavy-lift helicopter, capable of transporting a complete Pershing missile, the prototype of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook (the YHC-1B - 59-4983) first took to the air on September 21, 1961, for a taking-off, flight, and landing test. Less than a year later, in August 1962, the first production Chinook helicopters were delivered to the Army. It would officially be introduced into service in September 1962 as CH-47A, which was the first version. The CH-47A was powered by two Lycoming T55-L-7C turboshaft engines, each one generating 2,850 horsepower. This variant would be followed by the CH-47B, C, and D. The Chinook helicopter was massively produced and exported world-wide to many countries, such as European NATO's countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, India, and Iran.
During the Vietnam War, the CH-47 Chinook proved to be a reliable and efficient performer. It could lift artillery pieces, trucks, fuel tanks, and even shot-down UH-1 Hueys as well as performing routine troop lifts and med evacuation missions. However, the Southeast Asia environment, in terms of the jungle-covered terrain and weather and enemy firepower somewhat constrained the Chinook's performance. Also, heat and altitude reduced engine power and, thus, payload. In the 1980s, the US Army ordered an upgrade of its fleet. This is how the CH-47D variant was introduced. The US Department of Defense also ordered the highly sophisticated MH-47E for special forces operations. These are armed with Stinger missiles, laser, inertial navigation systems, missile-warning avionics, and air-to-air refueling probe.
Technical Description
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a medium, heavy-lift, in-tandem two-engine helicopter. The fuselage is of all-metal construction, with fixed landing gear. It is propelled by two main rotors, which are mounted in two pylons on top of fuselage. Each rotor has three blades, which were made of metal in the original variants, and glass fiber in the CH-47D and F versions. The rear pylon on top of fuselage carries the two engines, one on each side, and the gearbox synchronization unit. Chaff and flare dispensers as well as infra-red jammers can be mounted on the pylon. The aft ramp is fitted with smaller secondary ramps to facilitate the loading of wheeled vehicles and troops. The CH-47F variant is powered by two Lycoming T55-GA-714A turboshaft engines, each one delivering 4,733 horsepower. The fuel tanks are located at the bottom portion of fuselage sides, making it wider than the rest of fuselage.
Specifications (CH-47D)
Type: medium, heavy-lift, cargo/transport helicopter.
Fuselage Length: 15.54 m (51 feet)
Fuselage Width: 3.78 m (12 feet, 5 inches)
Rotor Diameter: 30.14 m (99 feet)
Height: 5.77 m (19 feet)
Power Plant: two 4,372-HP, Lycoming T55-L-712 SSB turboshaft engines
Maximum Speed: 298 km/h (185 mph)
Service Ceiling: 6,735 m (22,091 feet)
Payload: 6,300 kg (internal); 10,340 kg (external)
Crew: 3
Armament: two or three .50-cal M2 Browning machine guns.
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| Above, a CH-47C variant in service with Italian Army. |
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| Front view of the Chinook as it about to land. |
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| A US Army's CH-47 carries a 155-mm howitzer. |
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| Helicopter service of Norway acquired the civilian Model 234LR of the Chinook for use in its North Sea offshore drilling platform support flight service. |