CH-46D/E
Sea Knight
Description: Medium lift
assault helicopter, primarily used to move cargo and
troops.
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.
Point of Contact:
U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters
Division of Public Affairs
Washington, DC
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
(credits: US Navy)
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