The CH-47 Chinook, one of the largest and most iconic military helicopters in the world, has provided critical heavy lift capabilities to the US Army for about six decades.
With its unique tandem rotors, the Chinook boasts top speeds exceeding 300 km/h, making it the fastest helicopter in the US Army.
Its speed is unencumbered by its capacity for heavy loads -- including personnel, vehicles and equipment -- at high altitudes and in hot environments. These capabilities are essential for evacuation and humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions.
At its maximum, the CH-47 can transport 36 personnel -- including the minimum three-man crew and 33 outfitted soldiers. These soldiers can parachute or fast rope into a contested environment.
The Chinook's center hook has a sling-load capacity of 11,800kg, enabling it to haul equipment like the M198 howitzer and its associated ammo and crew.
With its fast-lift capabilities, the Chinook can rapidly reposition the howitzer for aggressive strikes throughout the battlefield, in addition to improving viability and lethality.
Combined with the M198's maximum standard projectile range of 18.1km, the CH-47 makes it possible to penetrate adversary defenses and strike critical targets.
Modernization
The United States recently demonstrated the CH-47 in December during exercise Desert Talon 24 with the United Arab Emirates.
The drills showcased the specialized assault capabilities of US Army aviation, particularly those of the UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook and the AH-64D/E Apache Helicopter.
The CH-47, which entered service in the early 1960s, is set to have a series of upgrades and modernizations to ensure another 40 years of service.
If accomplished, this will make the Chinook the only heavy-lift helicopter ever to reach a century of service.
Last July, the first Block II CH-47F Chinook helicopter was delivered to the US Army.
The improvements offered by the Block II include an upgraded drivetrain, a reinforced airframe and an enhanced fuel system that together expand mission radius and add an additional 1,800kg of maximum gross weight to the rotorcraft's payload capacity.
The Block II's new engine is set to deliver 6,000 shaft horsepower, a 22% improvement over the current one. It will also burn 8% less fuel and offer a 25% improvement in overall reliability, according to its manufacturer.
Each Block II has two engines.
Other upgrades include an advanced full glass cockpit equipped with multifunction digital displays and an upgraded flight control system.
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