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The CH-47 Chinook is a versatile, twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. The contra-rotating rotors eliminate the need for a rear vertical rotor, allowing all power to be used for lift and thrust, giving a top speed of 173 mph (150 knots, 278 km/h). Its primary roles include troop movement, artillery emplacement, and battlefield resupply. Chinooks have been sold to 16 nations, the largest users of which are the US Army and the Royal Air Force (see RAF Chinook). A commercial model, the Boeing 234 Chinook, is used worldwide for logging, construction, fighting forest fires, and supporting petroleum exploration operations.

Variants

YCH-1B, YCH-47A and CH-47A

The YCH-1B/YCH-47A were the first prototypes and pre-production aircraft. The Boeing Vertol (Model 114) YCH-1B/YCH-47A made its initial hovering flight on September 21, 1961. The all-weather medium-lift CH-47A Chinook entered service in Vietnam about 1966. The CH-47A was powered by either AlliedSignal Engines T55-L-5 2200 shp (1,640 kW) or T55-L-7 2650 shp (1,980 kW) engines.

A/ACH-47A and ACH-47A

Originally known as the Armed/Armored CH-47A (or A/ACH-47A), four CH-47A helicopters were converted to gunships by Boeing Vertol in late 1965. The four aircraft were denoted 64-13145 "Cost of Living," 64-13149 "Easy Money," 64-13151 "Stump Jumper," and 64-13154 "Birth Control." 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 Aviation Support Helicopter Battalion of the 1st Air Cavalry Division. 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 7.62x51mm 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 2.75" rocket launchers or sometimes two M18/M18A1 7.62x51 mm gun pods, and a single M75 40 mm grenade launcher in the XM5/M5 armament subsystem.

The surviving aircraft, Easy Money, has been restored and is on display at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, near Huntsville, Alabama.

CH-47B

CH-47B was powered by two AlliedSignal Engines T55-L-7C 2850 shp (2,130 kW) engines. The CH-47B featured a blunted rear rotor pylon, redesigned rotor blades, and strakes along the rear ramp and fuselage to improve flying characteristics. The CH-47B was the standard troop transport used by the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. The Chinook could be equipped with two door-mounted M60D 7.62 mm NATO machine guns on the M24 armament subsystem and a ramp-mounted M60D using the M41 armament subsystem. Some CH-47 "Bombers" were equipped to drop riot control gas or napalm onto Viet Cong bunkers from the rear cargo ramp. 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.

CH-47C

The Boeing Vertol (Model 234) CH-47C had a strengthened transmission, AlliedSignal Engines T55-L-11C 3750 shp (2,800 kW) engines, and increased range. The CH-47C could carry up to 44 troops or 24 litters plus two medical attendants. The RAF's Chinook HC.1, introduced in 1980, is comparable to the CH-47C.

A later "Super-C" configuration included up-rated Lycoming T55-L-712 engines and wide-chord fiberglass rotor blades, which had a wider chord than the old metal blades, and an angled, rather than squared-off root-end.

All three models saw wide use during the Vietnam war. They replaced the H-21 Shawnee in the combat assault role.

CH-47C Plus

Export version of the CH-47C Chinook for the Italian Army.

CH-47D

The CH-47D was originally powered by two T55-GA-712 engines, but most are now fitted with T55-GA-714s. Models CH-47A, CH-47B, and CH-47C, all used the same airframe, but later models featured upgraded engines. With its triple-hook cargo system, the CH-47D can carry heavy payloads internally and up to 26,000 pounds externally, for example, bulldozers and 40-foot containers, at speeds over 155 mph (250 km/h). In air assault operations, it often serves as the principal mover of the 155 mm M198 howitzer, 30 rounds of ammunition, and an 11-man crew. Like most US Army helicopters, the Chinook has advanced avionics and electronics, including the Global Positioning System.

The CH-47D saw wide use in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. The Chinook was used in air assault missions, inserting troops into fire bases and later bringing food, water, and ammunition. It is typically escorted by attack helicopters such as the Apache for protection. The CH-47D was particularly useful in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan where high altitudes and temperatures limited the use of the Black Hawk.

The RAF versions of the CH-47D are the Chinook HC.2 and HC.2A.

CH-47DG

The CH-47DG is an upgraded version of the CH-47C for the Greek Army.

CH-47F

The CH-47F, an upgraded D model, first flew in 2001; largescale production will begin in September 2006. The CH-47F was designed to extend the service life of the Chinook class beyond 2030. Amongst its upgrades are new 4,868 horsepower Honeywell engines (an improvement of over 1,100 HP per engine), improved digital avionics, and a more modern airframe manufactoring process designed to extend operational life, reduce vibration effects and cut maintenance costs. The CH-47F has a maximum payload capacity of 25,000-pounds or 10,615Kg

The first production CH-47F was delivered to the United States Army on 15th of June, 2006.

CH-47J and CH-47JA

The CH-47J is a twin-engined medium-transport helicopter for the Japan Ground Self Defence Force, and the Japan Air Self Defence Force. The CH-47JA is a long range version of the CH-47J, fitted with enlarged fuel tanks. Both versions are built under licence in Japan by Kawasaki.

HH-47D

The HH-47D is a search and rescue version for the South Korean Air Force.

MH-47D and MH-47E

The MH-47 variants are intended for special forces operations and have in-flight refueling, a fast-rope rappeling system and other upgrades. The current model being used by the US Army is the MH-47E. The MH-47D was an early special operations version for the US Army. The MH-47G is in development.

The RAF ordered eight Chinook HC.3s in 1995 for the special forces operations role. At a total cost of £259 million these were effectively low-cost equivalents to the MH-47G. This has proved to be a false economy as the helicopters were due to enter service in 1998, but in 2004 have yet to be cleared for anything other than training flights. An additional £130 million is required to make them suitable for their mission.

The H-47 is now sold by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

CH-147

Eight CH-47C Chinooks were delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces in 1974. The Chinooks were in Canadian service from 1974 to 1991. Canadian designation CH-147. These aircraft were subsequently sold to the Netherlands and are now operated Royal Netherlands Air Force as CH-47Ds. On July 5, 2006, the Canada issued a notice that it intends to purchase 16 Chinooks Medium to Heavy Lift Helicopter (MHLH) - ACAN MERX Website - Government of Canada.

Model 414

The Model 414 is the international export version of the CH-47D. It is also known as the CH-47D International Chinook.

Units using the Chinook

Military operators past and present

Problems with the Chinook

In June 1994 a Royal Air Force Chinook crashed into the Mull of Kintyre, killing 29. This was initially dismissed as pilot error, but an investigation by Computer Weekly uncovered evidence sufficient to convince a House of Lords enquiry that it may have been caused by a software bug in the aircraft's FADEC. [http://www.computerweekly.com/Article23208.htm

Reputation of the Chinook

One of the Chinooks, Bravo November, in service with the RAF has seen action in every major operation the RAF has been deployed to during the helicopter's 25-year service life.

Specifications (CH-47)

References

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