CH-46 Sea Knight
| CH-46 Sea Knight | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Medium assault helicopter | |
| Crew | 3 (2 pilots, crewman) + 25 troops | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 84 ft 4 in (overall) 45 ft 8 in (fuselage) | 25.72 m 13.92 m |
| Width (Fuselage) | 7 ft 3 in | 2.2 m |
| Height | 16 ft 8.5 in | 5.1 m |
| Rotor diameter | 51 ft (each) | 15.54 m (each) |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 15,537 lb | 7,047 kg |
| Loaded | 17,396 lb (with armor, guns and ammo) | 7,891 kg |
| Maximum take-off | 24,300 lb | 11,022 kg |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 2 General Electric T58-GE-16 turboshaft | |
| Power | 1,870 shp each | 1.4 MW |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 165 mph | 265 km/h |
| Combat range | 184 mi | 296 km |
| Ferry range | 420 mi | 676 km |
| Service ceiling | 14,000 ft | 4,267 m |
| Rate of climb | 2,045 ft/min | 623 m/min |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 2 .50-caliber machine guns (optional) | |
| Bombs | None | |
The CH-46D Sea Knight helicopter is a medium lift assault helicopter, used by the United States Navy for shipboard delivery of cargo and personnel. The CH-46E is used by the United States Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Troop assault is its 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.
The CH-46 Sea Knight was first procured in 1964 to meet the medium-lift requirements of the United States Marine Corps in all combat and peacetime environments since that time. The Sea Knight fleet is currently being maintained until a suitable replacement is approved.
On September 24, 2004 the USN retired the type, seeing it replaced by the MH-60 Night Hawk. The USMC will continue to fly CH-46s for a number more years.
General characteristics
- Contractor: Boeing Vertol Company
- Introduction date: January 1978
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