History
At the end of 1956 the US Army released a set of specifications for a turbine-powered transport helicopter to replace the Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave. Vertol started designing a new tandem-rotor transport helicopter designated as Model 107.
In June 1958 Vertol received a contract for one YHC-1A, which could carry 20 men. During the testing period the US Army thought the YHC-1A to light for the transport role an to heavy for the attack role. It was decided to upgrade the UH-1 Huey and use is for tactical transport and to obtain an heavy transport helicopter.
The YHC-1A was developed further and used by the US Marines as CH-46 Sea Knight in 1962.
The US Army ordered a larger and heavier version, Model 114, designated as HC-1B. The first pre-production machine Boeing-Vertol YCH-1B (Vertol was merged with Boeing to Boeing-Vertol) made its first flight on September 21, 1961. In 1962 the designation was changed in CH-47A "Chinook".
The new helicopter was powered by twin-shaft turbine engines, initial two Lycoming T-53 of 2200 hp, each mounted at the rear of the fuselage. Later models were equipped with upgraded, more powerful engines. Moreover, the two rotors rotate against each other in order to compensate for the torque and could be controlled separately. In case of failure of one of the engines the remaining engine can drive both rotors.
The Chinook was further developed in the course of time and improved and more powerful versions were released. The CH-47D was a major improvement with better engines, composite rotor blades, redesigned cockpit, improved electrical systems and avionics.
Also a civilian version, designated Boeing-Vertol Model 234 was developed and mainly used in the oil industry.
Versions.
- HC-1B:
- pre 1962 designation of the Boeing-Vertol Model 114
- CH-47A:
- 349 examples of the first produced version for the US Army; initially equipped with two Lycoming T55-L-5 engines rated 1640 kW, later two Lycoming T55-L-7C rated 2130 kW.
- ACH-47A: armed version. Four examples of the CH-47A modified in 1965.
- CH-47B:
- 108 examples of an interim version equipped with two Lycoming T55-L-7C engines of 2130 KW each. Modifications were the Adjustments were the blunted rear rotor pylon, redesigned asymmetrical rotor blades and guides along the tailgate and trunk to improve the flying characteristics.
- CH-47C:
- Boeing Model 234. 233 examples built. Equipped with more powerful engines and gear boxes. The first examples still had the Lycoming T55-L-7C engines rated 2130 KW each, later two Lycoming T55-L-11 engines rated 2800 kW each were installed. Canada ordered eight examples designated as CH-147. These were equipped with a hoist and a station for the Flight Engineer in the rear cabin.
- HC1: RAF version of the CH-47C
- CH-47D:
- Used the same airframe in combination with powerful engines.Initially the Lycoming T55-L-712 was used, soon replaced with the Lycoming T55-Ga-714A. The CH-47D could carry an external load of 12 tons with the triple cargo hook system. Also the avionics were improved with e.g. GPS.The first CH-47D entered service in 1979. The Us Army had nearly all its Chinooks, 472 examples. upgraded tot CH47D standard.
- HC2 and HC2A: RAF version.
- The Netherlands acquired the seven remaining CH-147’s from Canada and these were completely overhauled and upgraded to CH-47D. Other improvements were the Bendix weather radar in the extended nose, ‘glass cockpit’ and improved Honeywell T55-L-714A engines. Also six new examples were obtained.
- MH-47D: version developed for special duties and had a inflight refuelling system, and a fast-rope system. Twelve examples were built and six were modified older versions.
- MH-47E:
- 26 examples of a version for the US Army Special Operations. Similar to the MH-47D but with enlarged fuel capacity and terrain radar.
- HC-3: RAF version. Due to problems with the avionics all were modified to HC-2 standard.
- CH-47F:
- Released in 2001; the prototype was an upgraded CH-47D. Can carry 9,5 ton external load. the CH-47F has a upgraded airframe construction; two Honeywell T55-L-714A engines rated 3630 kW each and renewed electronics like a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) and a BAE Systems Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS). The US Army ordered 48 examples ; The Netherlands ordered six examples replace lost CH-47Ds and to expand the existing Chinook fleet.
- CH-47F Block 2: version planned for 2020 capable to carry 10 ton; higher take off weight and new Advanced Chinook Rotor Blades (ACRB) ; more powerful Honeywell T55-715 engines and the Active Parallel Actuator System (APAS), an advanced control system. Also the fuel system is revised and enlarged and the electric system expanded.
- CH-47F Block 3: this version is planned for 2025 with more powerful engines, transmission and extended fuselage.
- MH-47G:
- similar to the MH-47E, but with upgraded avionics and systems as CH-47F. The remaining 11 MH-47Ds and 25 MH-47Es will be modernized and an additional twelve examples will be built.
- CH-47J:
- Japanese license version of the CH-47D, 61 examples built by Kawasaki. Differs in engines and avionics.
- CH-47JA: a longe range version with enlarged fuel capacity, AAQ-16 FLIR and (a partly) glass cockpit.
- HH-47:
- [to be developed] Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR-X) version based upon the MH-47G.
Civil versions
- Model 234LR (long range):
- Commercial transport helicopter.
- Model 234ER (extended range):
- Commercial transport version.
- Model 234MLR (multi-purpose long range):
- Commercial transport version
- Model 234UT (utility transport):
- Utility transport helicopter.
- Model 414:
- international export version van de CH-47D.
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length with rotor | 30,18 m | Rotor diameter: | 18,29 m |
| Height: | Height with rotating rotor: 5,77;m; height in rest 4,99 meter |
Tail rotor diameter: | - m |
| Length without rotor: 15,88 m; length with rotating rotor 30,18 m; |
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| Weights: | |||
| Empty weight: | 11 151 kg | Max. Start weight | 24 494 kg |
| Performance: | |||
| Max. speed: | 315 km/hr | Cruising speed: | 256 km/hr |
| Range: | 2020 km | Service ceiling | 7000 km |
| Miscellaneous: | |||
| Engine type: | Two Textron Lycoming T55-L-714 rated 3629 kW each | ||
| Crew: | . | ||
| Armament: | None | ||
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