One of the well known US helicopters is certainly CH-47 from manufacturer Boeing
. This medium lift
transport helicopter is in use since 1962 when it entered the US service as a CH-47A Chinook model. Later CH-47B model was presented which had upgrated engine and larger rotors. When entered service it was first deployed in Vietnam and is still used today in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another upgraded version was developed in 1968 for Vietnam: CH-47C which used even further upgrated engine and additional fuel capacity.
Latest model still in use today was first deployed in 1982 - CH-47D model. It is currently being used all over the globe where it serves as a transport vehicle for troops insertion and extraction. It can also be used for artillery emplacement and battlefield resupply using a wide loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage and three cargo hooks.
Frequently upgraded CH-47 now features GPS, terrain following radar, bigger fuel capacity and larger engine turboshafts, CH-47 is here to stay. It can deliver the troops with speeds up to 290km/h and up to 935km away. There is enough room for 44 troops and two flightcrew. For self-defense it uses two M2 machine guns or two miniguns which are mounted on the sides of the fuselage. It has been exported into 18 countries all over the world and counting.
Performance and Characteristics:
Weight - 10,615kg (23,400lb)
Max takeoff - 22,680kg (50,000lb)
Rotor diameter - 18.29m (60ft)
Fuselage length - 15.55m (51ft)
Length - 30.1m (98ft 10in)
Power - two 2795kW turboshafts driving two three-blade rotors