Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the heavy lift helicopters category.
01 / Overview
CH-47A Chinook
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1962–
Quantity
354
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
8
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the heavy lift helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1961
- Service Entry Year1962
- Crew3
- Passengers33
- Primary RoleHeavy-lift transport helicopter
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
- Engine TypeLycoming T55-L-7
- Number of Engines2
- Engine Power (each)2,051 kW
- Transmission Rating3,728 kW
- Rotor ConfigurationTandem-rotor
- Main Rotor Diameter18.29 m
- Main Rotor Blades3
- Anti-Torque TypeRear rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed315 km/h
- Cruise Speed240 km/h
- Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)278 km/h
- Service Ceiling2,590 m
- Hover Ceiling (IGE)1,830 m
- Hover Ceiling (OGE)1,220 m
- Range400 km
- Ferry Range2,600 km
- Rate of Climb6.7 m/s
- Endurance180
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Fuselage Length15.54 m
- Height5.68 m
- Rotor Disc Area525.3
- Empty Weight12,700 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight22,000 kg
- Useful Load4,318 kg
- Cabin Volume41.8
◆Armament & Mission5MOD.5
- Hardpoints3
- Weapons Payload4,536 kg
- GunM60 machine gun
- Sling Load Capacity7,000 kg
- Rescue HoistYes
▤Survivability2MOD.2
⬢Production2MOD.2
- Total Built354
- Variants1
▲Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1962
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1962Production started
64
years in service
354
units produced
20
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 4 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
CH-47A Chinook // SIBLING VARIANTS
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory5country · 568units
568active
06 / MASS Score
HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS RANKING Heavy Lift Helicopters · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
22HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS8EARLY COLD WAR · HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS966UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS20PERFORMANCE/PRICE · HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theHeavy Lift Helicopterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Armored protective panels installed in the cockpit area of an attack helicopter to shield the crew from small arms fire and shrapnel.
Seats designed to absorb crash forces, reducing injury to occupants.
A mechanical device used to lift personnel or cargo via a cable, typically mounted on helicopters for rescue or recovery operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources