CH-46D Sea Knight Helicopter
Mission: The CH-46D Sea Knight helicopter is used by the Navy for shipboard delivery of cargo and personnel. The CH-46E is used by the Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Troop assault is the primary function and the movement of supplies and equipment is secondary. Additional tasks may be assigned, such as combat support, search and rescue, support for forward refueling and rearming points, aeromedic evacuation of casualties from the field and recovery of aircraft and personnel.
Background: The CH-46 Sea Knight was first procured in 1964 to meet the medium-lift requirements of the Marine Corps in all combat and peacetime environments. The Navy Sea Knight fleet is scheduled to be replaced by September 2004 with the MH-60S Knighthawk.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Medium lift assault helicopter
Contractor: Boeing Vertol Company
Power Plant: Two GE-T58-16 engines; 1,770 hp
Length: 45 feet, 8 inches (13.89 meters) with rotors folded
84 feet, 4 inches (25.7 meters) with rotors spread
Width: 51 feet (15.54 meters) with rotors spread
Height: 16 feet 8 inches (5.08 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 24,300 pounds (11,032 kg)
Range: 132 nautical miles (151.8 miles) for land assault mission
Speed: 145 knots (166.75 miles per hour)
Ceiling: 10,000 feet plus
Crew: Four: pilot, copilot, crew chief, mechanic
Payload:
Combat: max. of 22 troops and two aerial gunners
Medical evacuation: 15 litters, two attendants
Cargo: 5,000 pounds (2270 kg) maximum
Introduction date: January 1978
MH-46 /CH-46E SeaKnight
The CH-46 first was procured in 1964, and has been the primary combat assault helicopter for the Marines since then. The CH-46E is a versatile workhorse, with the capability to transport Marines ashore during an amphibious invasion, move equipment, weapons, and supplies, and serve as a search-and-rescue aircraft. A typical performance occurred 9-31 December 1992 in and about Mogadishu, Somalia, when the aircraft of the 15th MEU averaged about eight hours of flying per airframe per day, with 10 of 12 aircraft assigned being in the air. The Corps is doing all possible to keep the CH-46s flying until the medium-lift replacement for it, the V-22, finally is fielded and toward that end has initiated a Dynamic Component Upgrade Program intended to increase its reliability. stared in early 1996, included improved flight controls, rotor heads, and drive train aimed at restoring the CH-46 to 24,300-pound maximum gross weight. However, this was a safety modification which did not improve capability.