CH-46 Sea Knight

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.

• 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)