Boeing MH-47 Chinook

History of the Boeing MH-47 Chinook

The MH-47 is a tandem rotor mid-lift variant of the classic Boeing CH-47 Chinook, suitable for special forces and special missions. It retains all the form and function of the original excellent platform, while introducing systems and components to facilitate operations involving U.S. Special Operations Command - SOCOM Special Forces. In addition to its land-based operational capability, the system can also be operated from a warship's heliport - making it a true multi-role/multi-mission solution.

The MH-47 family has been continuously updated over its decade-long career, increasing its tactical value tenfold, although its contribution to U.S. special forces operations will never really be known.

The first operational versions of the MH-47D differed from their Chinook transport origins, gaining a rapid descent system and aerial refueling capability, among other special forces-oriented additions. D-models are operated in the skies by the US Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, with a total of 12 D-models procured - the fleet is a hybrid fleet of 6 modified CH-47A US Army Chinooks and The remaining 6 are from CH-47C production inventory.

Following the MH-47E successor that emerged in the early 1990s and developed from these, these models have increased internal fuel capacity, which in turn has expanded the operational range of the fleet. Terrain tracking radars were also installed to enhance the fleet's tactical capabilities - especially during night operations, the MH-47E was accepted into service by Army Special Forces through the aptly named 160th SOAR(A) Nightcrawler.

The MH-47G is the most modern incarnation of the MH-47 design and was developed specifically for use by the US Army Special Forces. In addition to the changes introduced on previous MH-47E and CH-47F models, the MH-47G has updated avionics with a "common cockpit" architecture proven in other designs.

The existing D and E models have been modernized to G model standards, while the newer "Block II", without first deliveries (2020), further improves the design.

British Special Forces put into service eight prototypes of a modified version of the former MH-47E, designated "HC.3". Upon delivery in 2001, problems with the fleet's avionics were discovered, causing the fleet to revert to a standard "HC".

2" has been redesigned but is now set to the more modern, digitally enhanced "HC. 5" upgraded to "standard". The RAF is said to be interested in the improved MH-47G variant currently available.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service

1980

Origins

United States

Status

Active.

Crew

5

Production

45

Manufacturer

Boeing Company - USA

Operator

UK; US

Roles

Transportation

General transport function for moving supplies/cargo or people (including casualties and VIPs) out of range.

Special Forces

Serve special forces/special operations forces and missions.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

98. 4 feet

(30.00m)

Width/span

59. 1 ft

(18.00m)

Height

18.9 feet

(5.77m)

Cured weight

26,455 lbs

(12,000 kg)

MTOW

55,116 lbs

(25,000 kg)

Wgt Difference

+28,660 lbs

(+13,000 kg)

Performance

Installed:

2 x Lycoming T55-GA-714A turboshaft engines, 4,732 hp each, driving 2 x tandem three-bladed main rotors.

Maximum speed

196 km/h

(315 km/h | 170 knots)

Maximum

20,013 feet

(6,100 m | 4 km)

Area

401 km

(645 km | 1,195 nautical miles)

rate of climb

1,555 ft/min

(474m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Weapons

Typical: 2 x 7.62mm M134 miniguns in front hull side position (trainable mount). 2 x 7.62mm M240 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) at the rear of the hull (trainable mount). Payloads up to 25,000 lbs include interior cargo space and underload/lift.

Can carry up to 40 combat personnel or a single HMMWV or equivalent road vehicle.