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Product Type: |
Heavy-Lift Transport Helicopter |
Using Service (US): |
Army |
Program Status: |
In Production |
Prime Contractor: |
The Boeing CH-47/MH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor, twin engine, heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport artillery,
troops, ammunition, fuel and supplies within military theaters of operation.
The legacy of the Chinook began in 1958 and continues today with the CH-47F and MH-47G configurations.
The new CH-47F is powered by two Honeywell
T55-GA-714A turboshaft engines with FADEC. The engines are rated at 4,733 shp (each).
The Chinook is the most reliable and efficient transport helicopter in the world, capable of handling loads
of up to 25,000 pounds. The tandem rotor configuration provides exceptional handling qualities enabling the CH-47 to
operate in climatic, altitude, and crosswind conditions that keep most other helicopters from flying.
The CH-47F Chinook has a triple hook system, which provides stability to large external loads or the capacity for multiple
external loads. Large external loads such as 155mm howitzers can be transported at speeds of up to 162 mph using the triple
hook load configuration. Multiple external loads can be delivered to two or three separate destinations in one sortie.
New features on the CH-47F (as compared to earlier models) include the digital Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) from
Rockwell Collins
+ modifications to the airframe to reduce vibration.
The upgraded CAAS cockpit comes with MFD-268C3 multi-function display units, CDU-7000 control display units, PSM-8600 processor switch modules,
and VPM-8600 video processor modules. CAAS also includes a digital data bus that permits installation of enhanced communications
and navigation equipment for improved situational awareness, mission performance, and survivability.
The CAAS interfaces with the BAE Systems Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS).
The new aircraft uses more powerful Honeywell T55-GA-714A
engines that improve fuel efficiency and enhance lift performance.
Also, the CH-47F features the AN/ARC-231 Airborne Communication System from Raytheon,
which includes two UHF/VHF AM/FM radios. Older Chinooks were equipped with AN/ARC-164 (UHF-AM) and AN/ARC-186 (VHF-AM/FM) radios.
The CH-47F is also equipped with two AN/ARC-201 SINCGARS radios, one AN/ARC-220 high frequency radio, and one L-Band BFT transceiver.
Other CH-47F equipment includes the AN/APX-123(V) Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder.
The first fully equipped U.S. Army Chinook, the CH-47A, entered service in
August 1962 with a gross weight of 33,000 lbs (50,000 pounds for the CH-47F).
Boeing introduced the CH-47B in 1966 with an improved airframe and new T55-L-7C engines
and a gross weight of 40,000 pounds. The CH-47C was developed in 1967 with T55-L-11 engines
and a gross weight capability of 44,000 pounds. The CH-47D was developed in May 1979 with
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) achieved in February 1984. The CH-47D has a
gross weight capability of 50,000 pounds and is powered by T55-L-712 engines.
The MH-47 is a special forces variant of the CH-47. It is used by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC),
the largest of the service components that make up U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
The MH-47 provides an in-flight refueling capability, a fast-rope rappelling system as well as other upgrades.
The MH-47G is currently being delivered to the Army. It features more advanced avionics than the MH-53E,
including the digital Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS), which is also featured on the CH-47F.
The CAAS is a common glass cockpit used by helicopters such as the MH-60L/M U.S. Army special forces rotorcraft,
and the CH-53E/K Super Stallion.
The MH-47G incorporates all of the new features on the CH-47F.
Apart from the CAAS, the avionics package on the MH-47G includes
a multi-mode radar; the Raytheon
AN/AAQ-16B or AN/AAQ-27A forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system installed in the nose of the helicopter; digital moving map display;
dual MIL-STD-1553 digital databuses; AN/ASN-145 AHRS; AN/ASN-137 inertial doppler navigational set;
Rockwell Collins
CP1516-ASQ automatic target hand-off system;
Rockwell Collins AN/ASN-149(V)2 GPS receiver;
Rockwell Collins AN/ARN-149(V) low-frequency automatic direction finder;
BAE Systems AN/ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures Dispenser System;
Goodrich AN/AVR-2A Laser Warning System;
Northrop Grumman AN/APR-39B(V)2 Radar Warning Receiver;
Alliant Techsystems AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System;
ITT Exelis AN/ALQ-136(V)2 radar pulse jammer;
ITT Exelis AN/ALQ-211(V)7 countermeasures set;
Northrop Grumman AN/ALQ-162(V) countermeasures set; and chaff/flare dispensers.
The CH-47/MH-47 U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) modernization program is in full-rate production and will ensure that
aircraft is sustained at least through 2030. According to Boeing, it is not unlikely that Chinook
helicopters will be Army Aviation assets for a century or more.
The modernization program calls for 525 Chinooks (464 new-build and remanufactured CH-47F helicopters and 61 MH-47G remanufactured aircraft).
CH-47F procurement will be complete after FY 2018. Consequently, the Army will evaluate a CH-47F depot level recapitalization program
starting in FY 2023 to extend the CH-47F's service life to FY 2040 and beyond.
The CH-47F can be equipped with up to 3x M240 7.62mm machine guns - one on loading ramp and two at shoulder windows. The MH-47G has four gun stations with two M134 7.62mm miniguns in the front of the aircraft and two M240D 7.62mm machine guns in the rear.
In 2012, the unit cost of a new-build CH-47F is $26.38 million. The airframe costs $19.29 million, the two T55-GA-714A engines cost $1.91 million ($956,000 each), and the avionics costs $1.21 million.
The total procurement cost of the CH-47F program is estimated at $14.09 billion + $0.17 billion in research and development (RDT&E) funds, which means the total estimated program cost is $14.26 billion (numbers are aggregated annual funds spent over the life of the program and no price/inflation adjustment was made).
The CH-47 Chinook provides a system designed to transport ground forces, supplies, ammunition, and other battle-critical cargo in support of worldwide combat and contingency operations.
Funds the purchase of 33 new-build Chinook aircraft of which 32 will be CH-47F and 1 MH-47G. FY 12 also funds the remanufacture of 15 helicopters which will be upgraded to the CH-47F configuration.
FY 13 Base funds in the amount of $1,159.4 million will purchase 19 new-build (12 CH-47Fs and 7 MH-47Gs) aircraft and 19 remanufacture aircraft. FY 13 OCO funds in the amount of $231.3 million will purchase 6 new-build war replacement CH-47F Chinook Helicopters. The 7 MH-47G Special Operation Chinooks are not part of the planned FY13-17 Multiyear Procurement. For more information, click to see the FY 2013 DoD CH-47 Budget and the FY 2013 CH-47 Modifications Budget.
Sources: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), The Boeing Company, Honeywell,
Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Rockwell Collins.
Last Update: November 30, 2012.
By Joakim Kasper Oestergaard /// (jkasper@bga-aeroweb.com)
Boeing's CH-47 Chinook Site: CH-47 Chinook
Boeing's MH-47 Site: MH-47 Chinook
Engines: Honeywell T-55-GA-714A
CAAS: Rockwell Collins CAAS
YouTube: Boeing CH-47 Chinook | YouTube
Fact Sheet: Boeing CH-47D Chinook | Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: Boeing CH-47F Chinook | Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: Boeing MH-47G Chinook | Fact Sheet
Total CH-47F Program Cost: |
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$14.26 billion ($14.09B procurement + $0.17B RDT&E) |
Chinook U.S. Defense Budget Charts: |
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| Purchases of CH-47F Helicopters (ARMY) | Modification of CH-47 Helicopters (ARMY) | |
| Purchases of MH-47G Helicopters (SOCOM) | Modification of MH-47 Helicopters (SOCOM) |
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Primary Function: Transport ground forces, supplies, ammunition, and other battle-critical cargo |
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