Bell 505 Jet Ranger X vs Boeing Chinook (UK variants)

AHelicopters

Boeing Chinook (UK variants)

Transport helicopter

Credit

Cpl Tim Laurence RAF · OGL v1.0 · Resized · OGL v1.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Bell 505 Jet Ranger XLength

12.8016 m

Length source ↗

Boeing Chinook (UK variants)Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Length · Length

30.14 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Measured figures

Head to head

17 of 36 rows sourced on both sides

12.8m

30.14m

Length

All recorded figures & sources

12.8016 m

Length

Single source

42 ft 5 in (12.93 m)^[source]

Length: 42 ft^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications · Length: 42 ft 5 in (12.93 m)

30.1 m

Chinook HC6A · Length

Single source

30.14 m

Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Length · Length

Single source

98 ft 9 in (30.10 m)^[source]

30.14m^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Length

11.28mMain rotor diameter

18.29mChinook HC6A · 2 ×

Rotor diameterScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

11.28 m

Main rotor diameter

Single source

37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)^[source]

18.29 m

Chinook HC6A · 2 ×

Single source

18.29 m

Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Rotor diameter · Rotor

Single source

2 × 60 ft 0 in (18.29 m)^[source]

18.29m^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Rotor

3.05m

5.77m

Height

All recorded figures & sources

3.048 m

Height

Disputed

10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)^[source]

Height: 10 ft^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications · Height: 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)

5.69 m

Chinook HC6A · Height

Single source

5.77 m

Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Height · Height

Single source

18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)^[source]

5.77m^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Height

2tMaximum take-off; external load

22.7t

MassScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

989 kg

Empty; Empty weight

Single source

2,030 kg

Maximum take-off; external load

Single source

1,669 kg

Maximum take-off; Internal load

Single source

2,180 lb (989 kg)^[source]

3,680 lb (1,669 kg) (Internal load), 4,475 lb (2,030 kg) (external load)^[source]

10,183 kg

Empty; Chinook HC6A · Empty weight

Single source

12,102 kg

Gross; Chinook HC6A · Gross weight

Single source

22,680 kg

Maximum take-off; Chinook HC6A · Max takeoff weight

Single source

22,450 lb (10,183 kg)^[source]

26,680 lb (12,102 kg)^[source]

50,000 lb (22,680 kg)^[source]

one pilot

Crew

All recorded figures & sources

one pilot^[source]

4 people

Chinook HC6A · pilot, copilot, two weapon system operators/loadmasters

Single source

4 (pilot, copilot, two weapon system operators/loadmasters)^[source]

2 Pilots, 2 Weapon System Operators^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · AircrewSource text · numeric interpretation needs review

232km/hMaximum; max cruise

300km/hMaximum; Chinook HC6A · Maximum speed

SpeedScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

232 km/h

Maximum; max cruise

Single source

144 mph (232 km/h, 125 kn) (max cruise)^[source]

300 km/h

Maximum; Chinook HC6A · Maximum speed

Single source

296.32 km/h

Maximum; Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Maximum speed · Maximum speed

Single source

160 kn (180 mph, 300 km/h)^[source]

160kt^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Maximum speed

617kmat 4,000 ft (1,200 m)

2,200kmChinook HC6A · with auxiliary fuel tanks

RangeScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

617 km

at 4,000 ft (1,200 m)

Single source

383 mi (617 km, 333 nmi) at 4,000 ft (1,200 m)^[source]

2,200 km

Chinook HC6A · with auxiliary fuel tanks

Single source

1,200 nmi (1,400 mi, 2,200 km) with auxiliary fuel tanks^[source]

377kW

2,800kW

PowerScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

377 kW

1 × Safran Arrius 2R turboshaft , 505 shp (

Single source

1 × Safran Arrius 2R turboshaft , 505 shp (377 kW)^[source]

2,800 kW

Chinook HC6A · 2 × Honeywell T55-GA-714A turboshaft free-turbine engines, 3,750 shp ( ) each

Single source

2 × Honeywell T55-GA-714A turboshaft free-turbine engines, 3,750 shp (2,800 kW) each^[source]

5,670mat 3,680 lb (1,670 kg)

4,600mChinook HC6A · Service ceiling

Service ceilingScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

5,670 m

at 3,680 lb (1,670 kg)

Single source

18,610 ft (5,670 m) at 3,680 lb (1,670 kg)^[source]

4,600 m

Chinook HC6A · Service ceiling

Single source

15,000 ft (4,600 m)^[source]

—

10m/s

Rate of climb

All recorded figures & sources

10.1 m/s

Chinook HC6A · 1,980 ft/min ( )Thrust 2x 4,168shp each engine

Single source

1,980 ft/min (10.1 m/s)Thrust 2x 4,168shp each engine^[source]

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X and Boeing Chinook (UK variants) configuration
Specification	Bell 505 Jet Ranger X	Boeing Chinook (UK variants)
Type	Light helicopter^[source]	Transport helicopter^[source]
National origin	United States / Canada^[source]	—
Manufacturer	Bell Textron^[source]	Boeing Defense, Space & Security^[source]
Status	In service^[source]	In service^[source]
Number built	505 (November 2023)^[source]	72 (all RAF models)^[source]
Manufactured	2014–present^[source]	—
Introduction date	March 7, 2017^[source]	22 November 1980 (with RAF)^[source]
First flight	November 10, 2014^[source]	23 March 1980 (HC1)^[source]
Capacity	four passengers^[source]	55 soldiers and up to 10 tonnes of freight or equipment^[source]
Useful load	1,500 lb (680 kg)^[source]	—
Main rotor area	1,075 sq ft (99.9 m 2 )^[source]	5,655.2 sq ft (525.39 m 2 )^[source]
Role	American/Canadian light helicopter^[source]	—
Source measurement	The helicopter was unveiled at the 2013 Paris Airshow on June 17, 2013, as the Bell SLS (Short Light Single). The model designation was later announced at HAI Heli-Expo 2014 in Anaheim, California on February 25, 2014.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Bell 505 is a "clean sheet" design, but uses some dynamic components, such as the rotor system, of the Bell 206L-4 . The airframe is constructed of metal and composites, and has a 22-square-foot (2.04 m 2 ) flat floor and an 18-cubic-foot (0.51 m 3 ) luggage bay. The Safran Arrius 2R is used with a dual-channel FADEC and a 3,000-hour Time-between-overhaul . The 505 cockpit is equipped with the Garmin G1000 H glass avionics suite. Various options such as a cargo hook are available.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Main production started in 2016 in an 82,300-square-foot (7,646 m 2 ), $26.3 million hangar facility at Lafayette Regional Airport in Louisiana, but the tooling was created for assembly in different places in the world. Louisiana offered $8 million in support for 250 new jobs, and started construction of the factory in August 2014 which was then leased to Bell. The factory opened in August 2015.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Initial assembly, flight testing and certification started in Canada while the factory was being built in the US. First flight went to 60 knots on November 11, 2014, and the second test aircraft flew in February 2015. Bell said they had 240 letters of intent (LOI) (50 from Europe) for the 505 in October 2014, and in November Chinese tourism operator Reignwood increased their LOI from 10 to 60 of the type. In August 2015, Bell had 350 letters of intent.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The 505 was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration in June 2017 and received high altitude certification (22,500 feet density altitude) in June 2019. Bell delivered the 100th 505 Jet Ranger X in June 2018, and the 200th in August 2019. 360 (March 2022) By November 2023, the 505th Bell 505 was delivered.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Sales, production and operations; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage On March 3, 2019, a Bell 505 crashed shortly after taking off from Central Island National Park , Kenya. The pilot and four passengers were killed in the accident. Kyle Forti , an American political consultant, was one of the passengers that died in the crash.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Accidents and incidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In 2022 in Queensland, a fan shaft bearing failure led to the failure of the tail shaft. The Australian authorities, working with Bell, could not find a deeper issue, but did note that odd mechanical sounds can be a sign of imminent hardware failure.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Accidents and incidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Nautilus Aviation, received 2 in 2018.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Royal Jordanian Air Force , received Bell 505 in November 2023.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Capacity: four passengers^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 42 ft 5 in (12.93 m)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 2,180 lb (989 kg)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 3,680 lb (1,669 kg) (Internal load), 4,475 lb (2,030 kg) (external load)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Useful load: 1,500 lb (680 kg)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 1 × Safran Arrius 2R turboshaft , 505 shp (377 kW)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Main rotor area: 1,075 sq ft (99.9 m 2 )^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 144 mph (232 km/h, 125 kn) (max cruise)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 383 mi (617 km, 333 nmi) at 4,000 ft (1,200 m)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 18,610 ft (5,670 m) at 3,680 lb (1,670 kg)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	—
Designer	—	Boeing-Vertol^[source]
Primary user	—	Royal Air Force^[source]
Developed from	—	Boeing CH-47 Chinook^[source]
Variants	—	HC1, HC1B, HC2, HC3, HC4, HC5, HC6, HC6A, HC7^[source]
Guns	—	2× M134 Miniguns and 1× M60 machine gun^[source] 2 x M134 Miniguns, 1 x M60 Machine Gun^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Guns
Blade section	—	- root: Boeing VR-7; tip: Boeing VR-8^[source]
Cockpit Avionics	—	Glass cockpit with a BAE Systems Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS), includes automatic modes such as auto-hover and auto-descend to ease pilot workload.^[source]
Sensors	—	Electro-Optical Sensor Turret (EOST) with two infrared cameras and a low-light TV function .^[source] EOST turret including two infrared cameras and a low-light TV function^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Electro optics
Defensive Aids	—	Missile Warning Receiver, Infrared Warning Receiver, Radar Warning Receiver, Counter-measure dispensing system (flares).^[source]
Country of origin	—	United States^[source]Boeing Chinook (UK variants) · origin explicitly stated in the linked current national-inventory row; no inference from operator or shipyard
Powerplant	—	Two Honeywell 55-L-714A Free-Turbine engines^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Powerplant
Reported engine rating	—	4,168shp each^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · ThrustSource text · numeric interpretation needs review
Flight altitude	—	15,000ft^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Maximum altitude

FORCETALLY

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Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Boeing Chinook (UK variants)

Type

Light helicopter^[source]

Transport helicopter^[source]

National origin

United States / Canada^[source]

—

Manufacturer

Bell Textron^[source]

Boeing Defense, Space & Security^[source]

Status

In service^[source]

Number built

505 (November 2023)^[source]

72 (all RAF models)^[source]

Manufactured

2014–present^[source]

—

Introduction date

March 7, 2017^[source]

22 November 1980 (with RAF)^[source]

First flight

November 10, 2014^[source]

23 March 1980 (HC1)^[source]

Capacity

four passengers^[source]

55 soldiers and up to 10 tonnes of freight or equipment^[source]

Useful load

1,500 lb (680 kg)^[source]

—

Main rotor area

1,075 sq ft (99.9 m 2 )^[source]

5,655.2 sq ft (525.39 m 2 )^[source]

Role

American/Canadian light helicopter^[source]

—

Source measurement

The helicopter was unveiled at the 2013 Paris Airshow on June 17, 2013, as the Bell SLS (Short Light Single). The model designation was later announced at HAI Heli-Expo 2014 in Anaheim, California on February 25, 2014.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Bell 505 is a "clean sheet" design, but uses some dynamic components, such as the rotor system, of the Bell 206L-4 . The airframe is constructed of metal and composites, and has a 22-square-foot (2.04 m 2 ) flat floor and an 18-cubic-foot (0.51 m 3 ) luggage bay. The Safran Arrius 2R is used with a dual-channel FADEC and a 3,000-hour Time-between-overhaul . The 505 cockpit is equipped with the Garmin G1000 H glass avionics suite. Various options such as a cargo hook are available.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Main production started in 2016 in an 82,300-square-foot (7,646 m 2 ), $26.3 million hangar facility at Lafayette Regional Airport in Louisiana, but the tooling was created for assembly in different places in the world. Louisiana offered $8 million in support for 250 new jobs, and started construction of the factory in August 2014 which was then leased to Bell. The factory opened in August 2015.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Initial assembly, flight testing and certification started in Canada while the factory was being built in the US. First flight went to 60 knots on November 11, 2014, and the second test aircraft flew in February 2015. Bell said they had 240 letters of intent (LOI) (50 from Europe) for the 505 in October 2014, and in November Chinese tourism operator Reignwood increased their LOI from 10 to 60 of the type. In August 2015, Bell had 350 letters of intent.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The 505 was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration in June 2017 and received high altitude certification (22,500 feet density altitude) in June 2019. Bell delivered the 100th 505 Jet Ranger X in June 2018, and the 200th in August 2019. 360 (March 2022) By November 2023, the 505th Bell 505 was delivered.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Sales, production and operations; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

On March 3, 2019, a Bell 505 crashed shortly after taking off from Central Island National Park , Kenya. The pilot and four passengers were killed in the accident. Kyle Forti , an American political consultant, was one of the passengers that died in the crash.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Accidents and incidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In 2022 in Queensland, a fan shaft bearing failure led to the failure of the tail shaft. The Australian authorities, working with Bell, could not find a deeper issue, but did note that odd mechanical sounds can be a sign of imminent hardware failure.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Accidents and incidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Nautilus Aviation, received 2 in 2018.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Royal Jordanian Air Force , received Bell 505 in November 2023.^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Capacity: four passengers^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 42 ft 5 in (12.93 m)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Empty weight: 2,180 lb (989 kg)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 3,680 lb (1,669 kg) (Internal load), 4,475 lb (2,030 kg) (external load)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Useful load: 1,500 lb (680 kg)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 1 × Safran Arrius 2R turboshaft , 505 shp (377 kW)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Main rotor area: 1,075 sq ft (99.9 m 2 )^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 144 mph (232 km/h, 125 kn) (max cruise)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 383 mi (617 km, 333 nmi) at 4,000 ft (1,200 m)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 18,610 ft (5,670 m) at 3,680 lb (1,670 kg)^[source]Bell 505 Jet Ranger X · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

—

Designer

—

Boeing-Vertol^[source]

Primary user

—

Royal Air Force^[source]

Developed from

—

Boeing CH-47 Chinook^[source]

Variants

—

HC1, HC1B, HC2, HC3, HC4, HC5, HC6, HC6A, HC7^[source]

Guns

—

2× M134 Miniguns and 1× M60 machine gun^[source]

2 x M134 Miniguns, 1 x M60 Machine Gun^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Guns

Blade section

—

- root: Boeing VR-7; tip: Boeing VR-8^[source]

Cockpit Avionics

—

Glass cockpit with a BAE Systems Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS), includes automatic modes such as auto-hover and auto-descend to ease pilot workload.^[source]

Sensors

—

Electro-Optical Sensor Turret (EOST) with two infrared cameras and a low-light TV function .^[source]

EOST turret including two infrared cameras and a low-light TV function^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Electro optics

Defensive Aids

—

Missile Warning Receiver, Infrared Warning Receiver, Radar Warning Receiver, Counter-measure dispensing system (flares).^[source]

Country of origin

—

United States^[source]Boeing Chinook (UK variants) · origin explicitly stated in the linked current national-inventory row; no inference from operator or shipyard

Powerplant

—

Two Honeywell 55-L-714A Free-Turbine engines^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Powerplant

Reported engine rating

—

4,168shp each^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · ThrustSource text · numeric interpretation needs review

Flight altitude

—

15,000ft^[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Maximum altitude