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-47C Chinook
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1962–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
5
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
82
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)2,125 kW
- Transmission Rating5,500 kW
- Rotor ConfigurationTandem-rotor
- Main Rotor Diameter18.29 m
- Main Rotor Blades3
- Anti-Torque TypeNo tail rotor (NOTAR)
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed315 km/h
- Cruise Speed265 km/h
- Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)315 km/h
- Service Ceiling6,100 m
- Hover Ceiling (IGE)3,960 m
- Hover Ceiling (OGE)2,835 m
- Range740 km
- Ferry Range2,060 km
- Rate of Climb7.7 m/s
- Endurance180
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Fuselage Length15.54 m
- Height5.68 m
- Rotor Disc Area525.3
- Empty Weight10,682 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight22,680 kg
- Useful Load11,998 kg
- Cabin Volume41.8
◆Armament & Mission5MOD.5
- Hardpoints3
- Weapons Payload10,000 kg
- GunM60 machine gun
- Sling Load Capacity11,000 kg
- Rescue HoistYes
▤Avionics6MOD.6
⬢Survivability6MOD.6
▲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-47C Chinook // SIBLING VARIANTS
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory4country · 553units
553active
06 / MASS Score
HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS RANKING Heavy Lift Helicopters · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
8HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS5EARLY COLD WAR · HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS67UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS18PERFORMANCE/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