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-47B Chinook
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1962–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
4
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-7C
- Number of Engines2
- Engine Power (each)4,380 kW
- Transmission Rating4,474 kW
- Rotor ConfigurationTandem-rotor
- Main Rotor Diameter18.29 m
- Main Rotor Blades4
- Anti-Torque TypeRear rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed291 km/h
- Cruise Speed240 km/h
- Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)315 km/h
- Service Ceiling1,860 m
- Hover Ceiling (IGE)1,830 m
- Hover Ceiling (OGE)1,220 m
- Range740 km
- Ferry Range2,060 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 Weight22,680 kg
- Useful Load12,495 kg
- Cabin Volume43.9
◆Armament & Mission5MOD.5
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload10,000 kg
- GunM60 machine gun
- Sling Load Capacity7,000 kg
- Rescue HoistYes
▤Avionics4MOD.4
⬢Survivability4MOD.4
▲Production1MOD.1
- Total Built1,200
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1962
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1962Production started
64
years in service
20
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 4 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
CH-47B Chinook // SIBLING VARIANTS
05 / Operators
Operator Countries24country
AustraliaACTIVE
CanadaACTIVE
EgyptACTIVE
GermanyACTIVE
GreeceACTIVE
IndiaACTIVE
IranACTIVE
ItalyACTIVE
JapanACTIVE
LibyaACTIVE
MoroccoACTIVE
Saudi ArabiaACTIVE
SingaporeACTIVE
South KoreaACTIVE
SpainACTIVE
TaiwanACTIVE
TurkeyACTIVE
United Arab EmiratesACTIVE
United KingdomACTIVE
United StatesACTIVE
ArgentinaRETIRED
IndonesiaRETIRED
ThailandRETIRED
VietnamRETIRED 06 / MASS Score
HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS RANKING Heavy Lift Helicopters · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
6HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS4EARLY COLD WAR · HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS51UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS20PERFORMANCE/PRICE · HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theHeavy Lift Helicopterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Autopilot/AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System) is an avionics suite that automatically controls a helicopter’s attitude, navigation and flight path, providing stability augmentation and reducing pilot workload.
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