The CH-47 Chinook (the commercial variant is known as the Model 234) is an iconic military aircraft originally manufactured by Boeing Vertol and today by Boeing Rotorcraft Systems.

The Chinook is a heavy transport helicopter that first saw the light of day in the 1960s. It was designed to be a troop transport, artillery placement and a battlefield resupply vehicle. It was conceived in the late 1950s as a replacement for the CH-37 Mojave, an aircraft that still used piston engine technology rather than turbine power plants. Turbine engines had found great success in the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (or “Huey”) and this paved the way for helicopters like the Chinook. The first generation of Chinook sported a 2200 horsepower rating for both engines combined, which was a class leading specification at the time, but for comparison the modern CH-47F is equipped with two 4733 horsepower Honeywell engines. Nearly 4.5 times the power.

The Chinook, as one can tell by the Native American designation, is a U.S. Army design. Its dual, counter rotating, rotors allow for incredible lifting power and the modern CH-47F Chinook possesses highly advanced digital management systems that are fully integrated into the aircraft. So, it not only has high performance and handling characteristics, but also advanced cargo handling and logistics functionality.

The Chinook is incredibly versatile and has been used for many diverse mission roles and in equally diverse theatres across the globe. Thanks to a very sound and robust core design it is estimated that (with ongoing modernization) the Chinook will remain in service throughout the 2030s. Which would mean a total service life of between 70 and 80 years. Since the initial production of the helicopter about 1200 Chinooks have been built, with production continuing at full tilt in order to satisfy demand, with various modern variants (with different model designations) destined for clients all over the globe. Indeed, in 2013 Boeing received an order for 155 CH-47F helicopters with an option for an additional 60. An order worth $4.9Bn over five years.

The Chinook has served various armed forces in 19 nations, but it has also been the aircraft of choice for humanitarian missions thanks to its power, speed and capacity. With its impeccable service record, future-proof design and widespread presence it seems the Chinook has a bright future ahead of it and will continue to play a significant role in international airspaces.

• Two fairings on either side of the fuselage, housing fuel tanks, landing gear shock absorbers and battery
• Quadricycle non-retractable landing gear
• Rear loading ramp

The CH-47 Chinook (the commercial variant is known as the Model 234) is an iconic military aircraft originally manufactured by Boeing Vertol and today by Boeing Rotorcraft Systems.

The Chinook is a heavy transport helicopter that first saw the light of day in the 1960s. It was designed to be a troop transport, artillery placement and a battlefield resupply vehicle. It was conceived in the late 1950s as a replacement for the CH-37 Mojave, an aircraft that still used piston engine technology rather than turbine power plants. Turbine engines had found great success in the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (or “Huey”) and this paved the way for helicopters like the Chinook. The first generation of Chinook sported a 2200 horsepower rating for both engines combined, which was a class leading specification at the time, but for comparison the modern CH-47F is equipped with two 4733 horsepower Honeywell engines. Nearly 4.5 times the power.

The Chinook, as one can tell by the Native American designation, is a U.S. Army design. Its dual, counter rotating, rotors allow for incredible lifting power and the modern CH-47F Chinook possesses highly advanced digital management systems that are fully integrated into the aircraft. So, it not only has high performance and handling characteristics, but also advanced cargo handling and logistics functionality.

The Chinook is incredibly versatile and has been used for many diverse mission roles and in equally diverse theatres across the globe. Thanks to a very sound and robust core design it is estimated that (with ongoing modernization) the Chinook will remain in service throughout the 2030s. Which would mean a total service life of between 70 and 80 years. Since the initial production of the helicopter about 1200 Chinooks have been built, with production continuing at full tilt in order to satisfy demand, with various modern variants (with different model designations) destined for clients all over the globe. Indeed, in 2013 Boeing received an order for 155 CH-47F helicopters with an option for an additional 60. An order worth $4.9Bn over five years.

The Chinook has served various armed forces in 19 nations, but it has also been the aircraft of choice for humanitarian missions thanks to its power, speed and capacity. With its impeccable service record, future-proof design and widespread presence it seems the Chinook has a bright future ahead of it and will continue to play a significant role in international airspaces.

• Two fairings on either side of the fuselage, housing fuel tanks, landing gear shock absorbers and battery
• Quadricycle non-retractable landing gear
• Rear loading ramp