Updated: 2022
DESCRIPTION
The CH-47F Chinook is the Army’s only heavy-lift cargo helicopter supporting combat and other critical operations. The CH-47F has a suite of improved features such as an upgraded digital cockpit featuring the Common Avionics Architecture System, a new monolithic airframe with vibration reduction, and the Digital Automatic Flight Control System, which provides coupled controllability for operations in adverse environments (reduced visibility, brown out, and high winds). The CH-47F’s common cockpit enables multiservice digital compatibility and interoperability for improved situational awareness, mission performance, and survivability, as well as future growth potential. The CH-47F Block II will provide an increased payload and operational reach beyond the existing CH-47F capabilities. The Block II will also enable the Army to better support the rapid response capability necessary for forcible and early entry contingency missions as well as tactical and operational nonlinear, noncontiguous, simulations, or sequential operations.
BENEFIT TO THE SOLDIER
The CH-47F tactically transports forces and associated equipment and provides routine aerial sustainment of maneuver forces. Secondary missions the Chinook executes to support Soldiers and commanders include medical evacuation, search and rescue, parachute drops, disaster relief, and aircraft recovery. The CH-47F Block II program provides additional capability to the field with greater reach, increased payload capacity, and an increase in maximum gross weight to 54,000 pounds.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Empty aircraft weight: 24,578 pounds (Block I); 26,800 pounds (Block II (estimated))
- Maximum gross weight: 50,000 pounds (Block I); 54,000 pounds (Block II)
- Total lift capability at hover in 4,000-foot pressure altitude and 95 degrees Fahrenheit: 46,280 pounds (Block I); 47,928 pounds (Block II)
- Maximum cruise speed: 160 knots (Block I and Block II)
- Capacity: 36 (Block I and Block II)
- Litter capacity: 24 (Block I and Block II)
- Sling-load capacity: 26,000 pounds center hook; 17,000 pounds forward/aft hook; 25,000 pounds tandem (Block I and Block II)
- Minimum crew: 3 (pilot, copilot, and flight engineer) (Block I and Block II)
PROGRAM STATUS
- 1QFY20:
- Completed the Fielding of new Production, Multiyear II aircraft to all active duty units
- Completed Fielding of the Common Avionics Architecture (9.2) and Digital Automatic Flight Control System (2.5) to every aviation unit
- Completed Fielding of the Cargo Platform Health Environment aircraft system to all active duty units
- 2QFY20: Began Fielding of Common Avionics Architecture System (9.4) and Digital Automatic Flight Control System (3.3) Updates
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
- 2QFY20: Begin Fielding of Common Avionics Architecture System (9.4) and Digital Automatic Flight Control System (3.3) Updates
- 2QFY21: Limited User Test, CH-47F Block II
- 4QFY21:
- Milestone C, CH-47F Block II
- Low Rate Initial Production, CH-47F Block II