The vast majority of modern helicopters are built according to a single-rotor scheme. Exceptions happen so rarely that they become peculiar calling card designers, and even the country of origin. In the USSR and Russia, the Kamov Design Bureau, which designs coaxial helicopters, became such an exception.
And in the United States, Frank Piasecki went “against the rules” - his company was glorified by helicopters with two screws located longitudinally. The most famous of them, the Chinook, is still in use today, continuously improved, and remains the main heavy helicopter of the US Army.
History of the CH-47
The creation of the Chinook is a rather simple and short story, without tragic episodes.
In 1956, the US Army expressed a desire to replace the piston-engined CH-37 helicopter with a new gas turbine engine. Later, the requirements expanded - the "turntable" was supposed to replace the cargo H-21 and H-34, while being able to transfer up to 15 paratroopers.
The creator of the H-21 helicopter, Piasecki Helicopter (by this time renamed Vertol), was already developing a prototype of a new helicopter, the V-107, and it suited the military. But, in the end, the V-107 was considered too light for transport missions and too heavy for assault missions.
From now on, the future “Iroquois” had to provide tactical mobility, and the engineers had to create another “flying car”.
The V-107 did end up in service with the US Navy and Marine Corps under the name CH-46.
The new, larger and more powerful helicopter from Vertol received the internal designation V-114, and the “military” designation HC-1B.
The Model 114 went on its first flight in September 1961, after the company was bought by Boeing. Already in 1962, the V-114 was adopted and renamed the CH-47. And the emerging tradition of naming helicopters after Indian tribes brought the CH-47 another name - “Chinook”.
Design description CH-47
The CH-47 Chinook helicopter is built according to the traditional Piasecki scheme with two longitudinal rotors. The scheme is great for transport workers - you can get a roomy compartment and make the most of its volume. True, due to the complexity of the design and worse maneuverability.
The first series of CH-47 helicopters flew with Lycoming T-55L-5 turboshaft engines with an HP 2200 power.
Later they were replaced by T55-L-7 motors (2650 hp), and the 47B version was replaced by T55-L-7C (power reached 2850 hp). The power plant of the latest Chinook models was increased to 6500 hp, and these engines belonged to the same T-55 family.
In all versions, the turbines are installed in the tail section of the helicopter, on both sides of the main rotor. The torque of CH-47 propellers is transmitted through motor gearboxes, main gearbox, connecting shafts and propeller gearboxes. The transmission is cooled by air coming from the air intake in the rear pylon. The lubrication system of the helicopter is duplicated, 330 minutes of operation without oil is allowed.
Three-bladed propellers with a diameter of 18.3 m (in the CH-47 F helicopter) rotate in opposite directions. Rectangular blades are fiberglass, the toe is bound with a titanium alloy. An anti-icing system can be installed.
The all-metal semi-monocoque CH-47 fuselage is rectangular in section, the corners are rounded. The double crew cabin has two emergency doors, a passage leads from the rear of the cabin to the cargo compartment. Inside the Chinook there are 33 seats along the sides, an additional row of 11 seats is located in the center, along the aisle.
Ambulance helicopters could accommodate up to 24 stretchers with the wounded and two accompanying orderlies. The sliding door is on the starboard side of the CH-47, in the rear there is a loading hatch with a folding ramp. The cockpit has round windows, some of which are part of the emergency evacuation hatches. For the transport of goods on an external sling, the Chinook is equipped with three hooks. The central hook can take a mass of up to 11970 kg, front and rear - 7140 kg each.
CH-47 rotor pylons - on top of the fuselage.
Six sealed fuel tanks are located along the sides, inside the fairings. If necessary, additional tanks (up to three pieces) with fuel are placed in the cargo compartment.
The capacity of the main Chinook tanks is 3900 liters, each additional one is 3025 liters. The four landing gear of the helicopter is made non-retractable, has shock absorbers and hydraulic disc brakes. The wheels of the front pillars are dual, unmanaged. The rear wheels are steerable, single.
The Chinook control system is equipped with hydraulic servo drives.
Two alternators are driven from the main gearbox, feeding two autonomous circuits of the electrical system. Auxiliary power point – gas turbine Solar T62, Boeing-Vertol CH-47A Chinook with 80 hp and CH-47B/C Chinook with 90 hp
Armament "Chinook"
Initially, it was not planned to equip transport Chinooks, but the transitional modification of the CH-47 B was already equipped with three machine gun mounts. M60D machine guns of 7.62mm caliber were installed in the doorways and on the cargo ramp. Subsequently, the armament was replaced with M240 machine guns of a similar caliber.
The attack aircraft ACH-47 (Armed CH-47) had an impressive arsenal.
It carried up to five 7.62mm (or 12.7mm) machine guns, two 20mm automatic cannons, two 70mm unguided rockets, and a 40mm grenade launcher. Machine guns were placed in doorways and windows, a grenade launcher - in a movable nose turret, guns and blocks of NAR (unguided aircraft missiles) - forward.
CH-47 helicopter modifications
Chinook cargo variants, from CH-47 A to F, differed from each other by installing more powerful engines, increasing payload, and improving electronics. The F-series helicopters also have a newly designed fuselage that simplifies maintenance.
Modification of the MH-47D should ensure the actions of special forces. 12 pieces were received by the 160th Special Purpose Aviation Regiment. They were equipped with an in-flight refueling system and a device for descent of troops on cables.
The next series, E, had an increased flight range, new avionics. Built 26 units. In the mid-90s, the Royal Air Force ordered their own version of the Chinook for special operations - the Chinook HC3. Eight such helicopters were assembled, but due to problems with avionics they were converted into transport ones.
The newest "turntable" of the special forces - MH-47G, has improved electronic equipment and structural elements from the CH-47 F.
Satisfying the needs of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, the CH-47J model was produced under license with other engines and avionics.
Civil "Chinooks" designated the index "model 234". There were three options: passenger, transport, cargo-passenger. Passenger CH-47s could carry 44 passengers, the seats inside were installed in four rows.
The “civilian” version of the Chinooks of the D series became known as the “Model 414”.
In 1965, four Chinooks were converted into ACH-47 heavy attack helicopters. Three of these attack aircraft, powerfully armed and protected by armor, were sent to Vietnam to undergo military trials, but logistical difficulties stalled the program. The helicopters that fought were lost in battle, and the only one that has survived to this day is used as a training one.
Flight performance of CH-47 and similar helicopters
The table shows the main data of the Chinook, comparing it with the closest domestic and foreign analogues. Small-scale and experienced helicopters are not taken into account.
| Parameter | CH-47 E | CH-53D | Mi-6 | SA.321 Super Frelon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuselage length, mm | 1554 | 20470 | 33160 | 19400 |
| Height, mm | 5770 | 5220 | 9160 | 6660 |
| Main screw diameter, mm | 18590 | 22020 | 35000 | 18900 |
| Cargo compartment length, mm | 9200 | 9140 | 12000 | 7000 |
| Cargo compartment width, mm | 2290 | 1980 | 2500 | 1830 |
| Cargo compartment height, mm | 1980 | 2290 | 2650 | 1900 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 298 | 307 | 340 | 249 |
| Cargo weight in the cab, kg | 8164 | 13608 | 12000 | 6700 |
| Cargo weight on suspension, kg | 10341 | 9072 | 8000 | 5000 |
| Flight range, km | 2026 | 1641 | 1450 | 1020 |
| Ceiling, m | 3215 | 2195 | 2250 | 2170 |
| Passenger capacity | up to 55 | up to 55 | up to 90 | up to 37 |
| Armament | 3 x 7.62mm machine guns | 2 x 12.7mm machine guns | 1 x 12.7mm machine gun | 1 x 20mm gun |
The Chinook's main competitor was his compatriot, the Sikorsky CH-53 helicopter. When the Marine Corps felt the need for heavy helicopters, it was the CH-53 that emerged as the winner of the announced competition. And the fleet used these helicopters as anti-submarine ones.
The French helicopter SuperFrelon (Super-hornet), not inferior to the CH-47, turned out to be of little demand, it was used primarily by the fleets of several countries, although China even established its licensed production. The choice of "Hornet" by the armed forces of South Africa is generally explained simply. France was not a member of NATO, and therefore could sell to South Africans military equipment.
The Soviet Union built direct analogues of the Chinook (longitudinal helicopters), but they were not widely used.
The only representative - the Yak-28, set two world records, for the entire period of operation, not a single disaster occurred with his participation. But the "circulation" of forty pieces (according to other sources - fifty) is a crumb against the background of more than a thousand CH-47s.
But it has become massive. He had impressive performance, set 16 world records, but lost to the CH-47 in durability and was not so widely distributed. And in combat, "Hook" (NATO designation Mi-6) was used to a limited extent.
In itself, this does not mean anything, but against the backdrop of the Chinook's impressive merits, it does not look like an advantage. The descendant of the "Hook" - the giant Mi-26, surpassed the CH-47 in capacity and carrying capacity so much that it can even be considered a representative of a different class.
Combat use of the Chinook
When the Vietnam War began, the Chinooks immediately got there as part of the 1st Cavalry (Airmobile) Division. Helicopters carried soldiers, pulled out damaged equipment, transferred armored personnel carriers and light tanks, and delivered artillery pieces to otherwise inaccessible positions.
In other words, they transported everything they could lift. The CH-47 was used as improvised bombers, dropping tear or incendiary bombs from the tail hatch.
In the 70s, the United States supplied twin-rotor helicopters to Iran.
After the overthrow of the Shah, the supply of Chinooks ceased, and the American CH-47s had to take part in the Iran-Iraq war. In 1982, Iranian Chinooks played a key role in Operation Fathol-Mobin by landing soldiers behind Iraqi lines.
Libya in 1976 acquired 24 Italian-assembled Chinooks. They saw limited use during the war with Chad, and by 2002 most Libyan CH-47s had been sold due to the inability to maintain them in working order.
In the Falklands, the Chinooks had to fight on both sides. The Argentines used four helicopters - one the British destroyed on the ground, and the other was captured. Three British CH-47s were lost along with the container ship Atlantic Conveyor, and the fourth became famous, transporting a total of 1,500 fighters, 95 wounded, 650 prisoners of war and 550 tons of cargo.
Chinooks have been and continue to be used in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The tasks of the honored helicopter remain the transfer of troops, the evacuation of damaged light equipment, and the supply of remote checkpoints.
Miscellaneous about CH-47
The already mentioned British “Chinook” with the call sign Bravo November, involved in the Falklands, is famous not only for the volume of cargo transported. Along with the Atlantic Conveyor ship, not only other heavy helicopters were lost, but also all spare parts for the CH-47, along with tools.
During one sortie, the BravoNovember "thanks" to a faulty altimeter and poor visibility hit the water at a speed of 175 km/h. The crew retained control of the vehicle and returned to base, and the damage was considered minor.
20 years later, the old Chinook (ordered back in 1978) distinguished itself in Iraq, delivering Royal Marines to the battlefield, and in 2006, in Afghanistan, evacuated wounded soldiers from Taliban fire. Four of the pilots who flew the Bravo November were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
One American "Chinook" participated in a less heroic, but no less interesting story. In 1988, Libyan forces abandoned a Mi-24 attack helicopter in the desert. To take possession of a sample of enemy equipment, CH-47 took it out at night, during a sandstorm. The operation ended successfully.
Conclusion
The predecessors of the Chinook, Korean veterans, were outdated and out of service pretty quickly. But the CH-47 turned out to be a representative of samples of equipment, which was destined for a very long life. The newest and best, in the early sixties of the last century, it is still being operated and produced to this day, 50 years later.
The helicopter did not set world records, did not exceed the parameters of competitors - and still many countries chose it.
This popularity cannot be attributed to American influence - the American CH-53 is much less common.
The qualities of the Chinooks were also proved by their rich (for a truck, not even a universal model) combat career. And the fact that the experience of creating the Chinook did not allow the development of new machines is simply explained - the replacement of the old CH-47 is not yet required.
Video
Those who are interested in the topic of Aviation can remember ours. And today I saw on the Internet disputes and discussions of the Indian tender between the Chinook and the Mi-26 and decided to take a closer look at it. And then we will look at our Mi-26, compare and find out what is the reason for such a decision or such a media report :-)
Boeing CH-47 Chinook (eng. Boeing CH-47 Chinook) is an American heavy military transport helicopter of the longitudinal scheme. In March 1959, the US Army command, having considered proposals from five American helicopter companies, chose the Boeing Vertol Model 114 as the most suitable for the requirements for a promising
army transport helicopter. It must be all-weather, have a rear cargo hatch, lift up to 1814 kg of cargo in the cabin or up to 7258 kg on an external sling, take on board at least 40 paratroopers in full gear and with weapons, be able to transport any of the elements of the Martin Marietta Pershing missile system, and also be adapted for the evacuation of the wounded.
In June 1959, a contract was issued for the assembly of five pre-production YHC-1Bs, which, after entering the troops, were renamed the YCH-47A Chinook.
The Model 114 was actually an enlarged and more powerful version of the Model 107 helicopter designed by the same company, featuring a four-wheel instead of a three-wheel landing gear, a completely sealed lower fuselage along the entire length and the presence of bulges on both sides - due to this, it was possible to ensure the buoyancy of the machine and the possibility of landing and takeoff from the water surface.
The first YHC-1B took off on September 21, 1961, by which time the development company had already received the first contract for the supply of a batch of serial CH-47As.
Two Lycoming T55-L-5 engines with a capacity of 2200 hp were chosen as the power plant. s, later replaced by the T55-L-7 with 2650 hp. With. Delivery of the CH-47A began in August 1962, with a total of 354 helicopters on order.
To date, based on the basic model, a whole family of Chinook helicopters has been developed and built. The first of these was the CH-47B, which was distinguished by two T55-L-7C engines with an HP 2850 power. with, rotors with blades with an increased chord and an improved profile, as well as having a number of other improvements. The first of two prototypes flew in October 1966 and deliveries began on May 10, 1967. A total of 108 helicopters of this modification were delivered.
The next representative of the family was the CH-47C (export designation Model 234 or Model 414), which had T55-L-1 1A engines with an HP 3750 power. c, reinforced transmission and increased fuel capacity. The first machine took off on October 14, 1967, deliveries to the customer began in early 1968. 270 of these helicopters were delivered, of which 182 were later upgraded with a more damage-resistant fuel system and composite rotor blades. Nine such machines were built by order of the Canadian Armed Forces and received the designation CH-147 (deliveries started in September 1974 of the year).
During the Vietnam War, four ACH-47As were produced, which were CH-47As with cockpit armor and vital important parts helicopter, as well as an armament complex of a 40-mm M5 automatic grenade launcher mounted in the bow on a rotating turret and placed on pylons of a 20-mm cannon and a 7.62-mm machine gun or block for 19 unguided rockets. In addition, in the cockpit - along the sides and in the rear - there were five turrets with 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm machine guns. Three of these helicopters were actively used in the interests of special operations forces in Vietnam, but the program did not receive further development.
Helicopters of the Chinook family are still the main ones in the US Army, and the helicopters of the CH-47A, CH-47B and CH-47C modifications that were in service have been repeatedly upgraded. In particular, within the framework of one of the programs developed to increase the resource and carrying capacity of these helicopters, one of the machines of all three modifications were subjected to overhaul and modernization - they became the prototypes of a new modification of the CH-47D. The first of three prototypes flew on May 11, 1979, and the first production CH-47D on February 26, 1982. The new model was equipped with more powerful T55-L-712 engines with a capacity of 4500 hp. c, more than a dozen improvements were introduced - the transmission was strengthened, new rotors and an auxiliary power unit were installed, electronic and hydraulic equipment and in-flight refueling systems were improved, and the airframe structure was also strengthened. Boeing received a contract worth more than $3.5 billion to modernize 472 previously built helicopters; the first modernized helicopter was delivered to the customer in May 1982.
The RAF ordered 33 helicopters under the designation Chinook HC.Mk 1, built to Canadian CH-147 standards but fitted with British avionics and other equipment. Later they were upgraded to Chinook HC.Mk 1B standard. The first helicopter was handed over to the customer in August 1980, and then their fleet in the UK was brought up to 41 machines. The next step was the modernization of British helicopters to the Chinook HC.Mk 1 A standard, and 32 aircraft were later upgraded to the Chinook HC.Mk 2 variant (similar to the American CH-47D), including by installing T55-L-712F engines. In addition, the British military ordered 17 helicopters: two Chinook HC.Mk 2, four Chinook HC.Mk 2A, the rest in the Chinook HC.Mk 3 modification similar to that used by the Force special operations US military helicopter MH-47E. However, the machines of the latest modification did not immediately get into operation - due to problems with the avionics, they were placed in storage, but in 2008 they began to re-equip them into the HC.Mk 2 / 2A variant (delivery of the first is scheduled for 2010).
In the 1970s, the licensed construction of Chinook helicopters in Italy began - they were supplied to European and Middle Eastern customers, the rights to produce them were acquired by Elicotteri Meridionali. In July 2008, the license was transferred to the company "AgustaWestland" - for the Italian army, it must collect modernized CH-47F.
The export version of the helicopter was produced by Boeing Vertol (then Boeing Helicopters, later simply Boeing) under the designation CH-47D International Chinook (Model 414-100), and in Lately the company focused on the production of CH-47F modification helicopters.
In addition to Canada and Great Britain, Argentina, Australia, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Italy (CH-47C Plus), Japan (CH-47J, licensed assembly by Kawasaki), Libya, Morocco, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan and Thailand purchased helicopters of this family at different times.
In the summer of 1978, Boeing announced the development of a civilian version of the Chinook, two basic modifications were planned: the Model 234LR (Long Range) in passenger, combi, or cargo versions, as well as the Model 234UT (Utility Transport) for solving special tasks such as mineral exploration, transportation of oversized cargo or construction and installation work. Later, the Model 234ER (Extended Range) helicopter was released with additional fuel tanks installed in the cockpit.
The Model 234LR program was launched in November 1978 after the signing of a contract with British Airways Helicopters for three aircraft (later increased to six), which were supposed to be used to transport passengers and urgent cargo from Scotland to offshore oil platforms. In the passenger version, such a helicopter could take up to 44 people.
Avco Lycoming AL 5512 engines were installed on civilian vehicles, and in emergency both rotors could be powered by the same engine. In the influx of the fuselage, additional large-capacity fuel tanks were installed. These same influxes provided the helicopter with fairly good buoyancy.
The first Model 234LR took off on August 19, 1980, two more helicopters were also involved in the test program, and the first machine entered service on July 1, 1981.
Helicopters of the Chinook family were often converted to solve various tasks in the interests of special operations forces. So, in the early 1990s, Boeing produced 26 MH-47E helicopters equipped with T55-L-714 engines for the US Army Special Forces, where they worked in close cooperation with converted production vehicles CH-47D SOA (Special Operations Aircraft) and MH-47D SOA. The helicopters had armor, offensive and defensive weapons, additional fuel and an in-flight refueling system. The machines also received the latest avionics, electronic warfare systems and all-weather navigation systems (including night vision goggles, a forward-looking IR camera, an inertial navigation system with a GPS signal receiver and an APQ-174 radar).
Since the late 1990s, Boeing has been working on equipping the CH-47F helicopter with 5000 hp engines. with new rotors, increased capacity fuel tanks and new avionics. The new machine made its first flight on June 25, 2001, it had Honeywell T55-714A engines - 25% more power compared to the CH-47D helicopter engines. It is assumed that the US Army will purchase 513 vehicles of a new modification - 452 of them will be new, and the rest will be modernized from those in service. The latter received the designation MH-47G.
The first division was completely re-equipped with the CH-47F modification in July 2007, and by the middle of the next year, the development company received orders from Australia, Canada and the Netherlands. Türkiye and India have shown interest in this helicopter.
Boeing has also developed an upgraded version of the HH-47 in response to requirements issued by the US Air Force for a new helicopter to replace the MH-53M Pave Low fleet (CSAR-X program). The proposal was sent to the Air Force command in November 2005, and in November 2006 Boeing was declared the winner in the tender for a promising helicopter. Boeing's rivals were US101's S-92-based variant and Lockheed Martin's helicopter. These companies filed a protest, disagreeing with the results of the tender - as a result, in November 2007, the US Air Force was forced to re-announce its requirements for a promising machine, and as of August 2009, the decision to choose one or another helicopter was not announced.
In August 2007, Boeing announced plans to build an enlarged version of the CH-47F that would have increased range and payload. This program could be launched as early as 2010.
In 2011, the US Army and the American aircraft manufacturer Boeing began to develop requirements for an upgraded version of the CH-47 Chinook heavy military transport helicopter, reports Flightglobal. As expected, a preliminary list of requirements could be drawn up as early as 2011. In 2019, Boeing will deliver the last of the ordered CH-47Gs to the US Army, after which the production lines will either need to be closed or reoriented to the production of new machines.
There are three options for further upgrading the helicopter platform used by the US military since 1962. The first option, developed jointly by the Army and Boeing, involves a slight change in the design and on-board systems of the helicopter. In addition, the carrying capacity of the machine can be increased from 12 to 13 tons. To do this, you do not have to make any changes to the design. propellers, nor in the power plants of the helicopter.
The US Army is leaning towards the second option, which provides for an increase in payload capacity by 30 percent - the maximum takeoff weight of the upgraded Chinook will be 29.5 tons compared to the current 22.7 tons. To do this, it will be necessary to revise the design of the propellers, as well as install new engines with a shaft power of 7500 horsepower on the helicopter. The CH-47 is currently powered by Honeywell T55-GA-712 turboshaft engines with 4868 shaft horsepower.
The third option is offered by Boeing. As part of this upgrade option, the width of the hull can be increased. In addition, it is planned to revise the design of propellers and install more powerful engines. Thanks to this, the maximum takeoff weight of the helicopter will increase by 50 percent to 34 tons. True, in this case, one of the requirements for a transport helicopter will be violated - the CH-47 must be placed in the cargo compartment of the C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft.
Boeing has proposed a slightly modified version of the CH-47 upgrade to the German Ministry of Defense. Together with the European company Eurocopter, Boeing plans to sell Chinook transport helicopters with a wider body and a payload of 33 tons to the German military department. Currently, the French Ministry of Defense is also looking for a new heavy transport helicopter.
The CH-47 Chinook is capable of reaching speeds of up to 315 kilometers per hour and flying up to 741 kilometers. The helicopter is designed to carry 55 paratroopers or 24 pairs of stretchers with the wounded and three doctors, or ten tons of cargo (the CH-47F/G has 12 tons).
During the service, British Chinook helicopters went through many military conflicts. These machines were widely used as part of the British contingent in Germany. In 1982, the Chinook HC.Mk 1 received its baptism of fire, providing for the operations of the British Expeditionary Force during the conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands. Three of them died on board the Atlantic Conveyor container ship hit by the Argentine Exocet anti-ship missile. During Operation Desert Storm, in addition to transport missions, helicopters were used to support the operations of the Special Operations Forces. To do this, several machines received an experimental "night camouflage", a system satellite communications and onboard armament. After the end of hostilities, the Chinook became involved in providing humanitarian assistance to the Kurdish tribes. During the conflict in Bosnia, six modernized HC.Mk 2s, which received an armored shield and airborne defense systems, provided the operations of the 27th airmobile brigade. Two helicopters of the 7th squadron of the British Air Force flew in Serbian Krajina under the flag of the UN, and in June 1999 eight aircraft took part in the operation of NATO troops in Kosovo. Since 2003, the main combat mission for British transport helicopters has been to ensure the actions of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, where they are still used today.
The commander's seat is located on the starboard side, the co-pilot is on the left side. In the aisle is the folding seat of the third crew member. Like all helicopters of the British Air Force and Army Aviation, the Chinook HC.Mkl is equipped with the Decca navigation system. The cockpits of some Air Force helicopters were adapted for the actions of the crew in night vision goggles. One of them - with the onboard designation BN (Bravo November) - during the Falklands conflict escaped death on board the Atlantic Conveyor container ship converted into air transport and until the end of the war carried out transportation in the interests of the British troops.
The first Chinook HC.Mkl helicopters that entered service with the British Air Force were equipped with metal rotor blades and Textron Lycoming T55-L-11E turboshaft engines. During the modernization, the helicopters were equipped with T55-L-712 engines with a power of 3750 l.e., designed to modify the CH-47D (HC.Mk 2) and new system firefighting. The blades of the propellers were replaced with carbon-plastic ones with a titanium leading edge, with a chord increased to 64 cm (by 12.5 cm) and a resource increased to 3000 hours, which made it possible to significantly reduce the cost of operating the machines .
The helicopter is equipped with a non-retractable four-wheel undercarriage. All racks are equipped with oil-pneumatic damping. Tire pressure is about 6 atm. The twin wheels of the front struts are equipped with single-disc hydraulic brakes. If necessary, it is possible to install removable skis.
Winch
On the starboard side of the helicopter above the door of the cargo compartment, a winch with a hydraulic drive can be installed. The rotors throw down a powerful stream of air, and hovering is usually done at a fairly high altitude. Over the sea, this operation is rarely practiced to prevent corrosion of the machine.
Refueling points
Helicopter refueling can be carried out both through the filler necks of individual tanks, and through the centralized refueling unit located on the starboard side. This design of the fuel system allows you to perform both general and selective refueling of the tanks of the machine.
The helicopter is equipped with three cargo locks, which significantly increases its ability to transport cargo. The middle lock is the main one and is designed for a load of 11,300 kg, which allows even the FH-70 howitzer to be transported on an external sling. Front and rear locks, designed for a maximum load of about 9000 kg each, can be used either separately or together. In the latter case, the machine is capable of lifting a standard cargo container, or even another Chinook. Although if you remember in Afghanistan, the Russian Mi-26s have repeatedly evacuated the damaged and faulty helicopters Chinook :-)
Fuselage
All-metal, semi-monocoque design, with a rectangular section with rounded corners; has a two-seat crew cabin, on each side of which there are resettable emergency doors, and a cargo cabin with a volume of 41.7m3, in which 44 seats are installed (33 main and 11 additional, along the central aisle), a rear part with a cargo hatch, the hinged sash of which forms a loading ramp, equipped with three folding sections, and compartments for the rotor pylons. The cargo cabin with dimensions of 9.19 x 2.29 x 1.98m and a floor area of 21m2 has a large sliding door on the right side with a size of 1.68 x 0.9m and additionally emergency escape hatches. The cargo compartment and the cockpit are connected by a passage. In the sanitary variant, 24 wounded on stretchers and 2 accompanying medics can be accommodated in the cabin; in the passenger variant, seats are installed for 44 passengers, 4 in a row with the central aisle. For the transportation of goods on an external sling, under the fuselage there is a central cargo hook, designed for a force of 11970kg, and front and rear cargo hooks for 7140kg each.
rotors
Three-blade, with hinged blades, rotating in opposite directions. The blades are rectangular in plan with an area of 7.43 m2 each and a chord of 0.81 m. The D-shaped blade spar is made of epoxy-based fiberglass, with a forging of the toe of titanium and nickel alloys, the tail compartments are also made of fiberglass with nomex filler. Counterweights are installed in the tip of the blade, replaceable tungsten counterweights are also installed in the spar - to adjust the taper. The blades have an improved aerodynamic profile VR-7 (and on the front part, where the flow velocity is achieved, corresponding to the number M = 0.85 - profile VR-8) and linear twist -12. Installation of an anti-icing system on the blades is provided. The peripheral speed of the ends of the blades is 215m/s.
electrical system consists of two self-contained circuits powered by two air-cooled alternators (40 kVA) driven by a central gearbox.
Radio electronic equipment standard, includes VHF radio station ARS-164 decimeter range with AM; SPU S-6533; identification system "friend or foe" Bendix АРХ-100, omnidirectional VHF beacon ARM-123, radio altimeter ARN-209, radio compass ARN-89B; standard flight instruments include the AQV-6A horizontal position indicator.
Hydraulic system modular design ensures the operation of the hydraulic boosters of the control system, the braking system of the landing gear and the main rotor. The pressure in the hydraulic control system is 20MPa, the flow rate of the mixture is 53L/min, and there is a spherical tank with a capacity of 5.32L and a pressure of 0.17MPa. In the general purpose hydraulic system, the pressure is 23MPa, the mixture flow rate is 51.5L/min, and there is a piston hydraulic reservoir with a volume of about 7L and a pressure of 0.39MPa.
Control system booster, improved, of the company "Hanuell", ensuring the maintenance of the position and speed of the helicopter, as well as the choice and maintenance of the course and altitude of the flight; includes hydraulic boosters and a stabilization system.
Military modifications
- CH-47A: basic transport helicopter.
- ACH-47A
- CH-47V
- CH-47S: modification with new engines.
- CH-47D
- NS.Mk.1 And Mk.1B: variants for the RAF.
- S/MN-47E: multi-purpose variant with increased range and in-flight refueling, armament and new equipment.
- CH-47F
- MH-47G
- CH-47J: Variant for the Japanese Armed Forces.
- HH-47
- MH-47D
Civil modifications
- Model 234LR (Long Range)
- Model 234ER (Extended Range)
- Model MLR (Multi Purpose Long Range)
- Model 234UT (Utility Transport)
- Model
Specifications
Crew: 2-3 people (2 pilots, flight engineer or operation commander)
Passenger capacity: 33-55 soldiers or 24 bedridden patients with 2 attendants
Length: 30.14 m
Fuselage length: 15.87 m (excluding refueling boom)
Main rotor diameter: 18.29 m (each)
Height: 5.59 m
Rotor swept area: 525.3 m²
Chassis base: 7.87 m
Empty weight: 12210 kg
Normal takeoff weight: 22680 kg
Maximum takeoff weight: 24494 kg
Payload weight: 12284 kg
Mass of fuel in internal tanks: 6815 kg
Volume of fuel tanks: 7828 l (+3 × 3028 l additional tanks in the cargo compartment)
Powerplant: 2 × Honeywell T55-L-714 turboshafts
Engine power: 2 × 4168 hp (2 × 3108 kW)
Cargo cabin dimensions
Length: 9.19 m
Width: 2.51 m
Height: 1.98 m
Floor area: 21.0 m²
Usable volume: 41.7 m³
Flight characteristics
Max speed: 285 km/h
Cruise speed: 259 km/h
Combat radius: 935 km
Ferry range: 2333 km
Practical ceiling: 3090 m
Static ceiling:
ground effect: 1675 m
without ground effect: 2985 m
Rate of climb: 9.35 m/s
Thrust-to-weight ratio: 229.4 W / kg (per transmission at maximum takeoff weight)
Armament
Small arms and cannon: 3 × 7.62 mm machine guns (2 in the doors and 1 on the ramp)
October 15, 2009 The Chinook, shot down near Kandahar, was evacuated on an external sling by a Mi-26 helicopter owned by Vertical-T
NATO helicopter crash August 6, 2011: On August 6, 2011, in Afghanistan, during an operation against militants in the province of Wardak, southwest of Kabul, a transport helicopter was shot down by a rocket (according to other information, by a grenade launcher). Helicopter crash victims international forces 38 people became, including 30 US military personnel, Afghan special forces soldiers, military air traffic controllers, a civilian translator and a dog handler with a dog.
It is said that this is the largest single loss of American troops during the Afghan war. US President Barack Obama at the Dover military base personally took part in the farewell ceremony for thirty American servicemen who were on board the helicopter.
In service for half a century, the Chinook has become Western's primary medium-class transport helicopter. A spacious cargo compartment and a large payload made it a versatile combat vehicle.
Chinook at work
The CH-47 Chinook originates from the Vertol Model 1141958 helicopter (Vertol became part of Boeing in 1960). It was assumed that the Chinook would become an improved version of the Model 107 twin-engine troop transport helicopter, better known in the USMC as the CH-46E Sea Knight or "Bullfrog". The US Army tested the Model 107 in 1959 under the designation YCH-1, but found it too small. Therefore, when the Chinook appeared, it was given the designation YHC-1B, later changed to CH-47A.
Since 1965, the US Army has assigned the main air transport tasks to the CH-47A, CH-47B and CH-47C. It was reported that more than 10,000 downed aircraft were evacuated from the Vietnamese rice fields and mountain slopes to their bases on an external sling under Chinook, some of them were repaired. On modifications A, B and C, the load was attached to one sling, which was considered a significant drawback. Only after the end of the Vietnam War on the CH-47D did they begin to use three slings for this. The Chinook were active throughout Vietnam wearing olive camouflage without any flashy graphics. By 1971, the South Vietnamese Air Force was also equipped with the CH-47.
The Chinook has the most spacious and comfortable cargo compartment of any U.S. military helicopter. Since the fuel is placed in external fairings along the fuselage, the cabin has a constant section along the entire length, like in military transport aircraft. Dimensions (9.14 m x 2.51 m x 1.98 m) and cabin volume (40.78 m3) are sufficient to accommodate two M551 Jeeps vehicles - the main tactical vehicle at the time of the creation of the helicopter. Today it can accommodate only one standard M998 Humvee army vehicle.
For most standard loads, the Chinook's cockpit space is more than sufficient, which is why it is often called a heavy helicopter in the US Army, although in its own technical specifications he belongs to the middle class. Despite the large volume of the cargo compartment, Chinook's fuselage looks very compact.
Chinook's twin-rotor longitudinal scheme allowed the fuselage length to be changed, abandoning the tail boom with tail rotor. Loading and unloading is carried out through the tail ramp, which can be lowered to the ground or raised to the level of the side of the truck. One person can load or unload cargo from the fuselage using the built-in winch. If necessary, long loads can be transported with an open tail ramp.
The high location of the Chinook propellers allows soldiers to board and disembark quickly and safely, even with the engines running. As standard, the seats along the side of the cargo compartment can accommodate 44 fully equipped infantrymen, but if necessary, the Chinook can carry up to 59 troops when using additional seats in the central aisle. In the sanitary version, up to 24 stretchers can be placed in the cabin with two accompanying physicians.
The 4-leg landing gear is the logical choice for a helicopter of this size and configuration, proven in the field. real operation. Such a scheme provides good stability during loading and unloading and prevents tipping over when landing on unprepared sites.
The Chinook fuselage is factory sealed so that the helicopter is capable of water landing and takeoff (in conditions up to Sea State 3); amphibiousness expands the possibilities of operating the machine, but is rarely used in practice.
Chinook at war
The 1st Airmobile Division began testing the new tactics of air warfare in 1965, organizing the largest helicopter base in the jungle (in An-Khe), from which troops were transferred to combat areas. Although UH-1 Huey helicopters played the main role in this, important support tasks fell on the Chinook.
The Pentagon has increased its order for the CH-47, and the Army has been experimenting with deployment methods, tactics, and helicopter crew composition. In Vietnam, the Chinook crew consisted of a commander, a co-pilot, a flight engineer (who also performed the functions of a gunner) and a gunner. In the war zone, the soldiers removed the rear windows of the cockpit, and sometimes all the others, in order to be able to fire from personal weapons.
In Vietnam, the Chinook were armed with a 7.62 mm M60D machine gun on a pivot mount in the port escape hatch and one of the same machine gun in the crew door on the starboard side. The use of the first CH-47s showed that the helicopter lacked engine power. CH-47C had a more powerful power plant. In addition, he was able to carry four fuel tanks in the cargo compartment, which made it possible to bring the ferry range of the car to 1610 km when flying at an altitude of 3048 m.
Deploying Chinook in unprepared environments causes some problems. In 1990, during Operation Desert Shield, to the chagrin of the US military, the delivery of Chinook to the conflict zone took almost 30 days, including preservation, delivery by sea, unloading and re-entry. But the contribution of the CH-47D to the campaign proved invaluable. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, together with the British Chinook HC.Mk l and other types of vehicles, they took part in the famous flanking maneuver that made it possible to isolate most of the Iraqi army.
Aerial refueling to increase range has always been possible for the Chinook, but its use has been limited to a small number of specialized tanker aircraft. Special operations variants of the MH-47D and MH-47E are equipped with refueling booms and in-flight refueling is a common tactic.
Chinook Abroad
Despite competition from other, possibly more advanced machines, the Chinook has had significant export success - it is operated in 19 countries. The first foreign buyer was Australia, which received 12 CH-47Cs. The Italian firm "Agusta" in 1968 acquired a license for the production of CH-47S, and the first 20 helicopters produced by it were sold to Iran. Built by "Agusta" CH-47C are also in service with the Italian army. In the future, cars were delivered to Egypt, Greece, Libya and Morocco.
Today, Kawasaki produces Chinook for the Japanese land and air forces, being the only foreign manufacturer building helicopters comparable in performance to the American CH-47D.
In an effort to capitalize on the modernization of the military Chinook, which was being finalized to the CH-47D standard, in the summer of 1978, Boeing announced the creation of a commercial version of the helicopter. It was believed that he would be in demand among companies producing oil in the North Sea, where drilling platforms are quite far from the mainland.
The availability of Commercial Chinook has enabled British Airways Helicopters (BHA) to secure a seven-year contract with Shell to service oil rigs off Shetland. In November 1978, VAN ordered six Model 234 helicopters, which entered service on July 1, 1981. But due to a major disaster in the mid-1980s, VAN abandoned their use for passenger transportation, and now these machines are used in construction work and logging.
Since the advent of helicopters, the scope of their operation has become very extensive. They are great for delivering various kinds of cargo or evacuating the wounded, as well as for delivering accurate and lightning strikes against the enemy. Our review presents 19 of the most best models military transport helicopters around the world.
1. Attack helicopter - McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache
McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache is the main attack helicopter of the United States Army and has been in service since the mid-1980s. The model is equipped with a powerful gas turbine engine, thanks to which maximum speed aircraft can reach 293 kilometers per hour. The presented sample weighs approximately 5165 kilograms. It is 18 meters long and has a wingspan of 15 meters.
2. Multi-purpose helicopter - Westland Lynx
Westland Lynx
3. Attack helicopter - Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne
Westland Lynx- This is a British multi-purpose helicopter, which was created by two companies Westland and Aerospatiale. The model made its first flight on March 21, 1971, and entered service at the end of 1978. The maximum allowable flight speed is 324 kilometers per hour. The length of this model reaches 15 m, and the wingspan is 13 meters.
4. Multi-purpose helicopter - Boeing / Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche
Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche- This is an American multi-purpose reconnaissance and attack helicopter, which made its first flight on January 4, 1996. The model weighs approximately 4218 kilograms, while its maximum flight speed reaches 324 kilometers per hour. One fully filled tank is enough for about 2220 km. The length of the presented aircraft is 14 m, and the wingspan is 12 meters.
5. Multi-purpose helicopter - Ka-60 Kasatka
Ka-60 Kasatka- This is a Russian multi-purpose military transport helicopter, the length of which is 16 m, and the wingspan is 14 meters. This model is equipped with a powerful gas turbine engine, thanks to which the maximum flight speed can reach 308 km per hour. One fully filled tank is enough for an aircraft for approximately 615 kilometers.
6. Attack helicopter - Mi-24
Mi-24- This is a Soviet / Russian attack helicopter developed at the Moscow plant named after M. L. Mil. The presented model is equipped with a powerful gas turbine engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 335 kilometers per hour. The length of the model is approximately 18 m, and the wingspan is 6.5 meters. The model made its first flight in 1969. The cost of the Mi-24 is approximately 12 million US dollars.
7. Multi-purpose helicopter - Mi-26
Mi-26- This is a Soviet heavy multi-purpose transport helicopter, developed at the Moscow plant named after M. L. Mil. The presented model is equipped with a powerful gas turbine engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 295 kilometers per hour. This sample weighs 28 tons, and it is about 40 meters long, while the flight range from one fully filled tank is approximately 800 km. The cost of the Mi-26 is about 18 million US dollars.
8. Attack helicopter - Agusta A129 Mangusta
Agusta A129 Mangusta is an attack helicopter developed by the Italian company Agusta. The presented model weighs 2.5 tons, while the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 352 kilometers per hour. The length of this sample is approximately 14 meters, and the flight range from one fully filled tank is 510 km. He made his first flight on September 15, 1983. Agusta A129 Mangusta costs about 22 million US dollars.
9. Attack helicopter - Bell AH-1Z Viper
Bell AH-1Z Viper is an American attack helicopter based on the Bell AH-1 Super Cobra. The presented model weighs 5.5 tons, while the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 411 kilometers per hour. The length of this sample is approximately 18 meters, and the flight range from one fully filled tank is 685 km. He made his first flight on December 8, 2000. The Bell AH-1Z Viper costs about $31 million.
10. Military transport helicopter - Boeing CH-47 Chinook
Boeing CH-47 Chinook- This is a heavy military transport helicopter of the longitudinal scheme. In the army of the United States of America, it replaced the CH-54 model and has been widely used since the early 1960s, being exported to 16 countries around the world. The length of this sample is approximately 30 meters. He made his first flight in 1962. The Boeing CH-47 Chinook costs about $35 million.
11. Multi-purpose helicopter - Bell UH-1 Iroquois
Bell UH-1 "Iroquois"- This is an American multi-purpose helicopter created by Bell Helicopter Textron. It is one of the most famous and massive machines in the history of helicopter construction. Serial production began in 1960. The model is equipped with a powerful gas turbine engine. He made his first flight on October 20, 1956, and was put into operation at the end of 1959.
12. Attack helicopter - Denel AH-2 Rooivalk
Denel AH-2 Rooivalk is a South African attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aerospace Systems. This model weighs about 5,730 kilograms, while the flight range from one fully filled tank reaches about 740 kilometers. The maximum permissible speed of the model is approximately 309 km / h. The aircraft made its first flight in 1990. The Denel AH-2 Rooivalk costs approximately $40 million.
13. Attack helicopter - Eurocopter Tiger
Eurocopter Tiger is a modern attack helicopter developed by the Franco-German consortium Eurocopter. This model weighs about 3060 kilograms, while the flight range from one fully filled tank reaches about 800 kilometers. The maximum allowed speed of the model is approximately 230 km/h. The aircraft made its first flight in April 1990.
14. Attack helicopter - Ka-52 "Alligator"
Ka-52 "Alligator"- This is a Russian attack helicopter that is capable of hitting armored vehicles, manpower and air targets on the battlefield. It is a modernized version of the Ka-50 "Black Shark" model.
15. Attack helicopter - CAIC WZ-10
CAIC WZ-10- This is an attack helicopter manufactured by the People's Republic of China. Developed with the participation of Russian scientists and specialists. Adopted by the PLA in February 2011. The model is equipped with a powerful gas turbine engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 300 km/h. It weighs about 5540 kilograms, while the flight range from one fully filled tank is 820 kilometers. The sample made its first flight on April 29, 2003.
16. Multi-purpose helicopter - Mi-2
Mi-2- This is a Soviet multi-purpose helicopter developed by OKB M. L. Mil in the early 1960s. In 1965, mass production was launched in Poland. It is widely used to perform many civil and military tasks. Its length is 11m, and its wingspan is 14m. The model is equipped with a powerful GTD-350 engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 200 kilometers per hour.
17. Attack helicopter - Ka-50
Ka-50- This is a Soviet / Russian single-seat attack helicopter designed to destroy armored and mechanized vehicles, air targets and manpower on the battlefield. Its length is 16m, and its wingspan is 14m. The model is equipped with a powerful TV3-117 engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 390 kilometers per hour. He made his first flight on June 17, 1982. The Ka-50 costs about 16 million US dollars.
18. Multipurpose helicopter - Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk- This is an American multi-purpose helicopter that entered service with the United States Army, replacing the previous Bell UH-1 model. The maximum allowable flight speed of this aircraft is 294 kilometers per hour. Its length reaches 20 m, and the wingspan is 16 meters. The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk costs approximately $21 million.
19. Multi-purpose helicopter - Mi-8
Mi-8- This is a Soviet / Russian multi-purpose helicopter developed at the Moscow plant named after M.L. Mile. It is the most massive twin-engine helicopter in the world. The presented model is equipped with a powerful gas turbine engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 260 kilometers per hour. The length of the model is approximately 18m, and the wingspan is 21 meters. The model made its first flight in 1967.
And aircraft lovers will surely be interested to look at these
Appearing over the battlefield for the first time during Korean War, helicopters have fundamentally changed military tactics. Today, rotorcraft confidently occupy their niche in the arsenal of modern armies and civil services, performing the tasks of transporting people and cargo, fire support, take part in search and rescue operations and reconnaissance missions.
To earn the right to be called the best, cars must show everything they are capable of. In the most severe climatic conditions, loaded "to the eyeballs", under enemy fire and at the limit of their capabilities.
We bring to your attention the top ten helicopters in the world according to the Military Channel. As always, the selection criteria will be the technical excellence of designs, production volumes, the legendary and chief and impartial judge - experience in military conflicts.
All 10 helicopters presented in the review have their own remarkable features, they all went through the school of survival in hot spots and received funny slang names.
Like any Military Channel show, this rating is not without bias. Another controversial point - how can you compare transport and attack helicopters? According to the creators of the rating, there are few highly specialized designs, most helicopters are multi-purpose. For example, the transport Mi-8 can successfully support ground troops with fire, not to mention its assault modification Mi-8AMTSh Terminator.
All the necessary comments have been made, now I propose to get to know the technique better.
10th place - Cow
Mi-26 - heavy transport helicopter
First flight - 1977
310 built
Carrying capacity - 20 tons of cargo or 80 paratroopers
The rotary-wing heavyweight has become the largest helicopter in the world. Unique features required special technical solutions. Eight-bladed main rotor, multi-threaded power transmission, three video cameras for monitoring the condition of the load on the external sling - these are just some of the features of this machine.
A serious test for the Mi-26 was the work to eliminate the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Overloaded lead radiation protection, Mi-26s were engaged in complex assembly operations on the territory of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In order not to raise clouds of radioactive dust, it was necessary to work with an elongated external suspension, which required remarkable courage and skill from the crews. All Mi-26s that took part in this operation were buried in the Exclusion Zone.
9th place - Links (Lynx)
Westland Lynx - British multi-purpose helicopter
First flight - 1971
400 built
Combat load - 750 kg, including 10 troops and outboard weapons: 4 anti-ship missiles in the marine version or 20 mm guns, 70 mm Hydra rockets and up to 8 TOW anti-tank missiles in the land version.
The appearance of the "Lynx" is not impressive: there is no aggressiveness of the American "Apache" or Mi-24 in it. But despite its typically civilian appearance, the combat "Lynx" is one of the most common ship-based helicopters in the world. The Lynx took part in the Falklands War, a cycle of naval battles that became the largest naval conflict since the Second World War. The combat debut was successful - the "Lynx" of the Royal Navy sank an Argentine patrol ship with the help of anti-ship missiles "Sea Scua". Over its forty-year history, the Lynxes were noted in the combat zone in the Balkans, where they provided a blockade of the coast of Yugoslavia and in Iraq in the winter of 1991, destroying the T-43 minesweeper, 4 border boats, a landing ship and a missile boat.
But what makes the Westland Lynx truly unique? Incredibly, this unsightly machine holds the world speed record among serial helicopters - in 1986, the Lynx accelerated to 400 km / h.
8th place - Flying car
Boeing CH-47 "Chinook" - heavy military transport helicopter of the longitudinal scheme
First flight - 1961
1179 built
Carrying capacity: 12 tons of cargo or up to 55 people
An important feature of the modern army is its mobility. If on a global scale the transfer of troops is provided by transport, then directly on the battlefield this is the task of helicopters.
This problem was especially acute for the American army in Vietnam - mountainous terrain, sudden changes in weather, lack of maps and roads, an ubiquitous and numerous enemy - all this required a special air means. This is where the Chinook heavy transport helicopter came in handy, built according to an unusual longitudinal scheme with two rotors. During his long service, many funny stories have accumulated. For example, one of the loading options sounded like this: you can stuff 33 Americans or ... 55 Vietnamese into a Chinook. Once, during the evacuation of Vietnamese refugees, a record was registered: 147 people were taken on board.
"Flying wagons" tried to stay away from the battlefield, specializing in the transfer of cargo from ships to supply bases. Although more exotic applications are known: as bombers, smoke curtains, tear gas sprayers, artillery "tractors". They looked especially impressive in raids to evacuate wrecked aircraft: in the first year of hostilities, the Chinooks took out 100 planes and helicopters that made an emergency landing. during the Vietnam War, they evacuated a thousand vehicles worth $ 3 billion!
The helicopter is still in service, taking part in operations around the world.
7th place - Cobra
Bell AH-1 “Cobra” – attack helicopter
First flight - 1965
1116 Cobras and 1271 Super Cobras built
Built-in weapons: a remote-controlled installation with two six-barreled Miniguns + 4 suspension points, on which containers with machine guns, air-to-air missiles, 70 mm NURSs, TOW anti-tank guided missiles can be placed.
Scary helicopter. As if Death itself descended from heaven in the guise of a narrow, sinister silhouette of the Cobra. The nose machine gun turret continued to fire even if the helicopter was flying in the other direction. Bloody Vietnam, the Middle East, where the Cobras unexpectedly turned into hunters, a meat grinder in Waziristan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq - this is an incomplete track record of the Cobra ...
The AH-1 was the world's first purpose-built attack helicopter. The pilots' cockpits and side projections are protected by NORAC composite armor. "Cobra" received a powerful sighting system that allows you to work on targets in any weather conditions.
To date, the upgraded "Cobra" is in service with the US Marine Corps. The light compact helicopter has excellent characteristics for being deployed on amphibious assault ships and aircraft carriers.
6th place - Crocodile
Mi-24 - transport and combat helicopter
NATO code name - Hind ("Doe")
First flight - 1969
Over 2000 units built
Built-in armament: four-barreled machine gun of 12.7 mm caliber on a mobile mount; suspended weapons: free-fall bombs, NURSs with a caliber from 57 to 240 mm, the Falanga anti-tank missile system, suspended cannon containers, as well as up to 8 people in the troop compartment.
American experts delivered a stunning verdict: the Mi-24 is not a helicopter! Like this. No more and no less.
The Mi-24 looks like a helicopter, it is used as a helicopter, but from a technical point of view, it is a hybrid of an airplane and a helicopter. Indeed, the Mi-24 cannot hover in one place or take off from a "patch" - it needs a runway (under normal load, the takeoff run is 100 ... 150 meters). What's the secret? Visually, the Mi-24 has disproportionately large pylons (in fact, these are decent-sized wings). US Air Force specialists, testing the Crocodile that fell into their hands, determined that at least a quarter of the lift force it creates with the help of wings, and, at high speeds, the value can reach 40%.
The Mi-24 piloting technique is also unusual - when the lift force decreases, the pilot slightly lowers the nose - the car accelerates and lift occurs on the wings. Like on a plane.
And you thought such wings for beauty?
What are the benefits of this outlandish hybrid? Firstly, the Mi-24 was created according to the concept of a "flying infantry fighting vehicle", which required non-standard technical solutions from the designers - heavy armor, an airborne compartment and a powerful weapon system did not fit in a standard helicopter design. Secondly, due to its "aircraft" qualities, the heavy "Crocodile" is one of the fastest combat helicopters in the world (maximum speed - 320 km / h).
"Crocodile" fought in the gorges of the Caucasus and the Pamir Mountains, in the hot Asian deserts and tropical forests of Equatorial Africa. But military glory came to him in Afghanistan. The unique rotary-wing attack aircraft became a symbol of that war.
According to the Iraqi government newspaper The Baghdad Observer, in 1982, during the Iran-Iraq War, an Mi-24 shot down an Iranian F-4 Phantom supersonic fighter. Unfortunately, the exact details of that battle remain unclear. But it is known for certain that Hussein's pilots on the Mi-24 shot down two dozen Iranian helicopters. On this occasion - black humor from the creators of the rating: "Never smile at the crocodile!" (Never mess with a crocodile).
But the best thing about the "Crocodile" was said by an Afghan Mujahideen in an interview with an American news channel: We are not afraid of the Russians, but we are afraid of their helicopters.
5th place - Stallion
Sikorsky CH-53E “Super Stallion” - heavy transport helicopter
First flight - 1974
Built - 115 units
Carrying capacity - 13 tons of payload in the cargo compartment or up to 14.5 tons on an external sling; or 55 paratroopers
The giant flying boat CH-53E is a deep modernization of the famous helicopter CH-53 "Sea Stalyen", created in 1964 specifically for the needs of the Navy, Marine Corps and US Coast Guard. Specialists of the Sikorsky company mounted a third engine and a seven-blade main rotor on the original design, for which the sailors called the modernized helicopter "Hurricane Maker" (literally - "hurricane maker"), such a powerful whirlwind of water spray and elastic air jets is created by the CH-53E power plant.
Night operation, Iraq
What else is famous for "Stallion" (namely, this is how Stallion is translated)? On this huge machine, the "dead loop" was demonstrated!
The maritime career of the CH-53 and CH-53E was not limited to standard transport missions. Rotary-wing flying boats were used as minesweepers (modification MH-53) and took part in search and rescue operations (modification HH-53). The in-flight refueling system installed on the helicopter allows you to stay in the air day and night.
"Stallion" took root on land - the military liked the powerful transport helicopter. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the CH-53 and CH-53E were used as Gunships, supporting ground forces with fire. In total, the CH-53 family includes 522 helicopters built.
4th place - Huey (Iroquois)
Bell UH-1 - multi-purpose military helicopter
First flight - 1956
Built - more than 16,000 units
Carrying capacity: 1.5 tons or 12-14 soldiers.
This private "air cavalry", along with napalm, became a symbol of the Vietnam War. Veterans remember that the Hueys became their home - helicopters delivered them to the position, brought them equipment, supplied them with provisions and ammunition, covered them from the air, and evacuated them from the battlefield in case of injury. Despite the huge losses (3000 vehicles did not return to base), the combat use of the Huey is recognized as successful. According to dry statistics, over the 11 years of the war, helicopters made 36 million sorties, i.e. one irretrievable loss accounted for 18,000 sorties - a completely unique result! And this despite the fact that the Huey did not have a reservation at all.
Before the advent of specialized Cobras, Hueys had to perform strike operations - a pair of 12.7 mm machine guns and 48 unguided rockets on a suspension turned the UH-1 into an infernal machine. The fire of the tactical combat group "Eagle Flight" (Flight of Eagles - American tactics of using helicopters) from 10 ... 12 vehicles was equal to the fire of two infantry battalions.
The Huey is Hollywood's favorite helicopter. No action movie is complete without a UH-1 flight scene. As expected, the heroes are sitting in a cockpit open on both sides, carelessly dangling their legs overboard.
Huey holds another record - so many of them were produced that by the end of the 60s, the American troops in Indochina had more helicopters than all the other armies in the world combined. Military and civilian versions of the Huey were delivered to 70 countries around the world (almost like a Kalashnikov assault rifle).
3rd place - Mi-8
Multipurpose helicopter
First flight - 1961
Built - more than 17,000 units
Load capacity: 3 tons or 24 people
Combat load of shock modifications: 2-3 machine guns and up to 1.5 tons of weapons on 6 hardpoints, including 57 mm unguided rockets, free-fall bombs and the Falanga anti-tank complex.
Created 50 years ago, the helicopter turned out to be so successful that it still receives orders from all over the world. It has three dozen civil and military modifications. It is used as a transport and attack helicopter, used for reconnaissance, as a command post, minelayer, tanker and ambulance helicopter. Civilian versions serve passenger airlines, are used in agriculture and during the liquidation of the consequences of natural and man-made disasters.
Military modification of the Mi-8TV ("heavy weapons")
The helicopter is simple, reliable, operated in any conditions - from the hot Sahara to Far North. Passed all military conflicts, including Afghanistan, Chechnya and the Middle East. And he won't be able to find a replacement anytime soon.
2nd place - Apache
Boeing AH-64 "Apache" - attack helicopter
First flight - 1975
Built - 1174 units
Built-in weapons - 30 mm automatic cannon. Suspended weapons - 16 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, 76 NURS caliber 70 mm or missile systems"Stinger" for air combat.
"Apache" is a cult machine that has become the prototype of a whole class of modern combat helicopters. He gained fame during Desert Storm, where, according to NATO representatives, he successfully fought tanks. Regularly used by the Israel Defense Forces Air Force.
Only one helicopter - the Russian Mi-28N "Night Hunter" - was able to openly challenge Apache during the Indian tender for the supply of combat helicopters in the fall of 2011. But the old warrior turned out to be smarter and more agile than the young recruit - the electronics “finished” during numerous conflicts allowed the modern modification of the AH-64D “Apache Longbow” to operate more efficiently at night. However, Indian experts noted that the Apache design had exhausted its reserves for modernization, and its flight performance characteristics (static and dynamic ceiling) were inferior Russian helicopter, just starting his battle path.
More recently, in 2002, the Mi-35 (an export version of the Mi-24 with modern avionics) of the DPRK Air Force was "banged" from an ambush by a South Korean Apache. South Korea acknowledged the loss and demanded that the United States carry out a free (!) Modernization of the entire fleet of its Apaches to the Longbow version. They are still judging.
1st place - Black Hawk
Sikorsky UH-60 "Black Hawk" - multi-purpose helicopter
First flight - 1974
Built - 3000 units
Carrying capacity: 1500 kg of cargo and various equipment inside the cargo compartment or up to 4 tons on an external sling. The landing version takes on board 14 fighters.
Combat load of shock vehicles: 2 machine guns, 4 suspension points. The standard weapon system is NURSs, anti-tank Hellfires, containers with 30 mm guns. Naval versions are armed with 324 mm torpedoes and AGM-119 “Penguin” anti-ship missiles.
Without any exaggeration, the Black Hawk is a helicopter of the 21st century, despite the fact that it was created 40 years ago. The multi-purpose army helicopter was intended to replace the Iroquois, while its naval version, the Sea Hawk, was being developed in parallel. The result was a universal platform for all branches of the military, and in terms of the totality of characteristics - the best helicopter in the world.
In addition to the basic UH-60 land version, there are 2 anti-submarine versions SH-60B “Sea Hawk” and SH-60F “Ocean Hawk” (equipped with a magnetometer and a descending sonar station), the HH-60 “Rescue Hawk” helicopter for combat search and rescue and special operations, as well as a line of MH-60 “Knighthawk” models, including deck helicopters, fire support helicopters, vehicles for special operations, ambulance versions, jammers, etc. Sometimes they are used as staff helicopters for high-ranking officials and generals. Actively exported.
good appliances
The Black Hawk is saturated to the limit with high-tech equipment, which places high demands on the maintenance personnel and does not allow it to be stored outside the hangar for a long time.
The military plans to make the MH-60 a single type of helicopter for all branches of the military and, which should radically reduce costs and simplify maintenance. With his appearance, he replaced the army "Iroquois" and the sea "Seasprite". Now the Black Hawk is successfully duplicating the tasks of transport helicopters and fire support helicopters, replacing the MH-53 sea minesweepers and SH-3 “Sea King” heavy helicopters.
Conclusion
There are exactly 10 places in the top ten. But why didn’t the iconic Ka-50 Black Shark helicopter make it into the rating? Do American experts not even suspect the existence of this machine. Despite the excellent flight characteristics and unsurpassed maneuverability, only 15 Sharks were produced, the Ka-50 never went beyond the experimental machine. The American AH-56 Cheyenne, an infernal rotorcraft, did not make it into the rating, compared to which all existing Cobras and Apaches are ugly ducklings. On tests, the car showed a speed of more than 400 km / h! Alas, only 10 Cheyennes were produced and the helicopter never hit the troops.
It remains only to summarize - the advanced design and excellent flight performance characteristics do not make the car the best yet. Much more important is its mass appearance in the troops (which allows you to quickly test the car in all modes and cure "childhood diseases" that any design suffers from) and the correct tactics of use.
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