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-47E | 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
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
Among the large number of helicopter schemes developed so far, the scheme with two coaxial rotors, which was first used by M.V. Lomonosov on his "aerodrome machine", is widespread. Both rotors in this scheme are on the same axis, one under the other. The shaft of the upper screw thus passes inside the hollow shaft of the lower screw. The propellers rotate in opposite directions, so two reactive moments are transmitted to the fuselage, mutually balancing each other. Helicopters built according to this scheme have good maneuverability.
In particular, by changing the angles of installation of the blades of one of the propellers in comparison with the installation angles of the blades of the other propeller (differential change in the total pitch of the propellers), a difference is achieved in their reactive moments, which, being transferred to the fuselage, turns the helicopter in one direction or another. Longitudinal and lateral control and control of ascent and descent will be described below. Now we only note that the principles of such control are the same for most helicopters.
Helicopter with two propellers
In Russia, according to this scheme, a helicopter was built back in 1907 by designer Antonov. Subsequently, this scheme was used in many countries. Modern design helicopter II. I. Kamov was also created according to a twin-screw coaxial scheme.
The main advantages of helicopters built according to this scheme are their small size and light weight. This is achieved by the absence of a long tail boom for installing a tail rotor and long shafts for transmitting torque from the engine to the propellers, since the propellers are installed on the same vertical axis side by side.
It is curious to note that all helicopters weighing up to 800 kg are built according to a twin-rotor coaxial scheme. It is possible that such helicopters will become widespread aircraft for individual use in the near future.
This scheme, like any other, is not without flaws. So, due to the fact that the lower screw operates in an air stream thrown off and twisted by the upper screw, the conditions for its operation worsen and the calculation of the screw during design is difficult.
Helicopter with two longitudinal rotors
The scheme of a helicopter with longitudinally arranged rotors was first proposed by N. I. Sorokin. According to this scheme, one screw is located above the nose of the fuselage, and the second - above the tail. Both propellers can be driven by one or two motors. The direction of rotation of the screws is opposite for the mutual cancellation of reactive moments.
According to this scheme, it is advantageous to build a heavy multi-seat helicopter, since the fuselage of such a helicopter turns out to be a convenient room for cargo and passengers, and, in addition, the helicopter of this scheme has good longitudinal controllability and allows a significant change in the position of the center of gravity along the fuselage axis. So, if the helicopter lowers its nose, i.e., the center of gravity has moved forward, then a dive moment will be created, which can easily be eliminated by increasing the thrust of the nose rotor with a corresponding decrease in the thrust of the propeller installed in the tail. When moving the center of gravity, the grooves will have to increase the thrust of the propeller installed in the tail, and reduce the thrust of the nose propeller.
The advantage of a helicopter built according to this scheme is that it has a small cross-section of the fuselage and, consequently, low harmful resistance, which allows it to fly at the highest speeds.
The disadvantage of a helicopter built according to this scheme is that the rear propeller, when the helicopter is flying forward, operates in the air, previously disturbed by the front propeller, and this reduces its efficiency.
Shown is a model of a helicopter with two longitudinal propellers. To facilitate hangar storage, the rotor blades of a helicopter can be made folding above the fuselage, which greatly reduces the size of the helicopter.
American military helicopters are among the best helicopters in the world.
Since 1942, the US military has used thousands of helicopters for reconnaissance, transportation and combat support. Developed in the 1930s and used in military operations a decade later, the main difference between a helicopter and an airplane is the blades, for vertical takeoff and landing, hovering, the ability to fly forward, backward, and side to side - in a word, providing more convenient movement in space.
Between the very first R-4 used during World War II and the futuristic S-97, we've rounded up 12 of the best US military helicopters that support the army from the sky.
UH-60 "Black Hawk" (Black Hawk)
The Army began delivering UH-60s to the troops in 1978. The task of Black Hawk is the transportation of troops and rear support. However, he also participated in medical evacuation, search and rescue, and armed escort missions. Over 2,000 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters are in service with the US Army.
AH-64 "Apache" (Apache)
Apache for 2014 was the most common attack helicopter in the world. As of January 2015, the Apache fleet has accumulated more than 3.9 million flight hours since its initial delivery in 1984, according to information from its manufacturer Boeing. Apache has four main rotor blades and also four tail rotors. The AH-64's "baptism of fire" took place during the American invasion of Panama in December 1989.
Boeing CH-47 Chinook
The development of the Boeing Chinook began in 1956. The twin-rotor medium transport helicopter was delivered for first use in Vietnam in 1962. And although many perfect options have already appeared, it is still used in the army, and is not expected to be reduced, its service life until 2060 - possibly the first 100-year-old helicopter
The first flight of the H-34 was in 1954, and was acquired by the Army and Navy in 1955. According to the Pacific Aviation Museum, it is one of the most recognizable helicopters in military history. It had an unusual shape, with the engine behind the cab. Also called "Choctaw", and mostly known for its multipurpose use in Vietnam. Unfortunately, its manufacturers have decided that future military helicopters require more space than the seahorse allows.
MH-6 "Little Bird"
Nicknamed the ‘Killer Egg’, its main task is to deliver special forces over rooftops or into narrow spaces. It was originally designed for reconnaissance, but it was also used for special operations and he proved his effectiveness in combat.
Bell UH-1 "Iroquois"
More affectionately named 'Huey', one of the most famous and massive helicopters in helicopter history. Serially produced since 1960. The total number of helicopters of all modifications is more than 16,000 units. The current helicopter variant used by the US Marine Corps is the UH-1Y. It was first used in Vietnam to move infantry. The DEA continues to use Huey for anti-drug raids in Afghanistan.
S-61/SH-3 Sea King
Sea King was the first amphibious helicopter in military service. It was used by the Navy to detect, classify, track and destroy enemy submarines. It consists of a boat-like body-hull and a pontoon with floating bags that give S-61 the ability to land on water. Although it is no longer in production, it still serves the President of the United States.
Bell V-22 Osprey
The Osprey Bell-Boeing is a combat multi-role helicopter that uses tiltrotor technology combined with the best aircraft and helicopters in one helicopter. With this technology, the V-22 takes off and lands like a helicopter, but transforms into a turboprop in flight. The Air Force uses the CV-22 iteration for special operations. Overall, the Osprey has been deployed in transport and evacuation operations throughout Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Kuwait.
The CH-53, manufactured by Sikorsky, is both the largest and heaviest helicopter used by the military. It has been in use for nearly three decades, and has seven rotor blades. The Marine Corps has been using them since 1980 for hard work, as they can carry 13,000 kg of cargo. The CH-53E is expected to be in service until 2025.
Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight
Vertol Aircraft produced the first Sea Knight for the Marine Corps and entered service in 1964. The helicopter began military service in Vietnam, where it transported troops and cargo from the Navy ships in the China Sea. It was a medium civilian and military transport helicopter used in Beirut, Operation Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan for attack, transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Dismissed in 2014 from the Navy and in 2015 from the Marine Corps.
Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
Produced by Bell, Kiowa is used for reconnaissance and close fire support of ground troops. The equipment includes television and infrared devices, a laser rangefinder-target designator, a Doppler radar system and a night vision device mounted on the pilot's helmet. The Kiowa fleet logged 800,000 combat hours. It was to be replaced by the RAH-66 Comanche, which was revised in 2004. The OH-58D is expected to retire from service at the end of 2016.
Bell AH-1 "Cobra"
The world's first specially designed combat helicopter, as it was successfully used in the Vietnam War and other armed conflicts. The military has used it since 1967, deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. The Super Cobra variant is armed with both air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles and can also be equipped with Hydra rockets. All four helicopter squadrons of the Marine Corps, equipped with Super Cobras, took part in the operation against the army of Saddam Hussein.
The US Army is considering two new high-tech military rotorcraft projects: the Bell Helicopter V-280 Valor tiltrotor (“Valor”) and the coaxial pusher helicopter from Sikorsky and SB-1 Defiant (“Daring”). Flight tests of both machines are scheduled for 2017, the American military observer Chris wrote in the Warrior edition. This will be their first official test in the US Army.
SB-1 Defiant multipurpose helicopter prototype
BoeingNew helicopters were created during the JMR TD (Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator, Sample of a single multi-purpose machine), which, in turn, is part of the program to create aircraft future vertical takeoff (Future Vertical Lift, FVL), capable of replacing the famous Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk and Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters, which are now in service with the US Army. A new fleet of combat and transport helicopters is expected to be created by 2030.
“The creation of two different high-tech, future-oriented helicopters is already well underway. There will be ground tests in 2016 and initial flight tests are planned for 2017,” confirmed JMR Program Director Dan Bailey.
According to him, the creation of helicopters is on schedule, "in strict accordance with the cooperation plans of co-executors."
According to the tactical and technical requirements for new vehicles, their cruising speed should exceed 500 km / h, and the combat radius should be more than 400 km.
Next-generation helicopters will also be able to operate in difficult weather conditions.
“We have set a speed requirement of at least 500 km/h as this requires the use of new technologies. In accordance with it, engineers and designers have put forward a lot of breakthrough ideas,” Bailey said.
A faster and more agile helicopter that can fly far longer without mid-air refueling would allow US Army units to more effectively hit enemy targets or deliver small mobile special forces teams to the scene, he said.
The new helicopter will be developed taking into account the latest achievements in the field of avionics in order to timely detect the enemy and use next-generation weapons, describe the requirements for a combat vehicle in.
“We need technologies and projects that are significantly different from what we have today. The new helicopters will carry more equipment and weapons, will be more maneuverable and will perform combat missions with a longer range,” said FVL Project Manager Rich Kretschmaer.
Bell Helicopter will demonstrate the third-generation V-280 Valor tiltrotor to the US Army next year.
A tiltrotor is an aircraft with rotary bladed propellers, which, during takeoff and landing, work as lifting, according to the principle of a helicopter, and in horizontal flight, as pulling, while the lifting force is provided by an aircraft-type wing.
The V-280 was created taking into account the experience of designing and operating the first generation XV-3 and XV-15 convertiplanes, as well as the BA 609 civil tiltrotor that followed them and the first serial military tiltrotor V-22 Osprey of the second generation.
“Unlike the V-22, whose propellers tilted along with the engines, the V-280 engines are fixed in a horizontal position, and the transition between helicopter and airplane modes is carried out by tilting the propellers alone,” the deputy director explained to Gazeta.Ru.
The wing of the V-280 is forward-swept, not reverse-swept, as is the case with the V-22. It will be produced as a single piece using Large Cell Carbon Core technology, which will reduce the weight of the structure and production costs. This technology also allows you to quickly identify defects that occur during operation. The tiltrotor fuselage will also be made of composite materials. The V-280 Valor is designed with a V-tail and remote system triple redundant controls.
The crew of the V-280 consists of four people. The tiltrotor can carry up to 11 passengers on board.
The combat radius of the tiltrotor, previously named by Bell, is 926 km. Ferry flight range - 3889 km. Load capacity - 4500 kg.
The power plant consists of two General Electric T 64-419 engines with an HP 5000 power.
Another promising machine is the SB1 Defiant multi-purpose helicopter with coaxial rotors and pusher tail rotors. The project is based on the Sikorsky X2 demonstrator, which also became the basis for the promising attack helicopter S-97 Raider.
Unlike the strike version, the SB1 Defiant is designed to carry out transport operations, landing troops, performing search and rescue operations, and evacuating the wounded from the battlefield. The helicopter in the future may enter service with the US Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
It is expected that the helicopter may begin to enter the troops as early as 2018 and by 2030 will completely replace the obsolete, according to the US military, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
The JMR/FVL program involves integrating a wide range of the latest sensors, weapons and avionics into advanced combat vehicles that allow for remote control in cases where a pilot is incapacitated by a wound or killed, Pentagon officials explained to Warrior.
The JMR TD / FVL design documents describe the tasks of developing a human-machine interface with the automatic execution of a large number of a wide variety of functions in order to offload the pilot and crew to take on more important tasks during a sortie.
It is planned, for example, to introduce technologies on advanced convertiplanes that assist the pilot in making a particular decision, to organize and prioritize all information entering the cockpit, to optimize visual, 3D, audio and other information signals. Convertiplane pilots will be able to receive video from nearby unmanned aerial vehicles and control these drones during the flight. Some of the information can be shown in the cockpit, and some can be displayed on the pilots' helmets.
According to representatives of the US Army, promising helicopters are supposed to integrate measures to counteract various types enemy weapons - from small arms to man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems.
Among such technologies is the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) - a high-tech laser jammer capable of deflecting incoming enemy missiles from the course.
CIRCM is an improved version of the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system currently deployed on US Air Force aircraft. The completion date of the CIRCM system is 2018. By 2030, even more advanced technologies are expected to be used.
The new helicopter program involves the creation of new technologies for night vision devices for pilots, thermal imagers, electro-optical sensors, the improvement of laser rangefinders and laser designators.
In accordance with the JMR, helicopters are designed to combine weapons and reconnaissance for the future use of helicopters in a fully autonomous mode, when the vehicle will independently detect, track and fire a large number of targets in sharp maneuvers, correcting for wind and other conditions.
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