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At a glance
Measured figures
Chinook HC6A · Length
Single sourceChinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Length · Length
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | Boeing Chinook (UK variants) | Kaman K-MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Transport helicopter[source] | Medium lift helicopter[source] |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Defense, Space & Security[source] | Kaman Aircraft[source] |
| Designer | Boeing-Vertol[source] | — |
| Status | In service[source] | Production ended, in service[source] |
K-MAX · rotors running
Single source52 ft (16 m) rotors running[source]
K-MAX · with rotors running
Single source51 ft 5 in (15.67 m) with rotors running[source]
Chinook HC6A · Height
Single sourceChinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Height · Height
Single source18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)[source]
5.77m[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Height
K-MAX · to centreof hubs
Single source13 ft 7 in (4.14 m) to centreof hubs[source]
Empty; Chinook HC6A · Empty weight
Single sourceGross; Chinook HC6A · Gross weight
Single sourceMaximum take-off; Chinook HC6A · Max takeoff weight
Single source22,450 lb (10,183 kg)[source]
26,680 lb (12,102 kg)[source]
50,000 lb (22,680 kg)[source]
Empty; K-MAX · Empty weight
Single sourceMaximum take-off; K-MAX · without slung load
Single sourceChinook HC6A · pilot, copilot, two weapon system operators/loadmasters
Single source4 (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
K-MAX · Crew
Single sourceChinook HC6A · 2 × Honeywell T55-GA-714A turboshaft free-turbine engines, 3,750 shp ( ) each
Single source2 × Honeywell T55-GA-714A turboshaft free-turbine engines, 3,750 shp (2,800 kW) each[source]
K-MAX · 1 × Honeywell T5317A-1 turboshaft engine, 1,350 shp ( ) flat rated for take-off up to ~29,000 ft (8,839 m) to increase transmission life
Single source1 × Honeywell T5317A-1 turboshaft engine, 1,350 shp (1,010 kW) flat rated for take-off up to ~29,000 ft (8,839 m) to increase transmission life[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Primary user |
|---|
Royal Air Force[source] |
| — |
| Number built | 72 (all RAF models)[source] | — |
|---|
| Introduction date | 22 November 1980 (with RAF)[source] | — |
|---|
| First flight | 23 March 1980 (HC1)[source] | December 23, 1991[source] |
|---|
| Developed from | Boeing CH-47 Chinook[source] | — |
|---|
| Variants | HC1, HC1B, HC2, HC3, HC4, HC5, HC6, HC6A, HC7[source] | — |
|---|
| Capacity | 55 soldiers and up to 10 tonnes of freight or equipment[source] | 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) external load at ISA +15 °C (59.0 °F) at sea level 5,663 lb (2,569 kg) external load at ISA +15 °C (59.0 °F) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m) 5,163 lb (2,342 kg) external load at ISA +15 °C (59.0 °F) at 10,000 ft (3,048 m) 5,013 lb (2,274 kg) external load at ISA +15 °C (59.0 °F) at 12,100 ft (3,688 m) 4,313 lb (1,956 kg) external load at ISA +15 °C (59.0 °F) at 15,000 ft (4,572 m)[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 | — |
|---|
| Main rotor area | 5,655.2 sq ft (525.39 m 2 )[source] | 3,669 sq ft (340.9 m 2 )[source] |
|---|
| Blade section | - root: Boeing VR-7; tip: Boeing VR-8[source] | - root: NACA 23012 ; tip: NACA 23011[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 | — |
|---|
| Manufactured | — | 1991–2003, 2015–2023[source] |
|---|
| Fuel capacity | — | 1,541 lb (699 kg) / 228.5 US gal (190 imp gal; 865 L)[source] |
|---|
| Length of fuselage | — | 41 ft 9 in (12.73 m)[source] |
|---|
| Never exceed speed | — | 100 kn (120 mph, 190 km/h) clean[source] |
|---|
| Hover ceiling IGE | — | 26,300 ft (8,016 m) at 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) AUW, ISA[source] |
|---|
| Disk loading | — | 3.52 lb/sq ft (17.2 kg/m 2 )[source] |
|---|
| Power/mass | — | 0.1045 hp/lb (0.1718 kW/kg)[source] |
|---|
| Fuel consumption | — | 85 gal/h (71 imp gal/h; 322 L/h)[source] |
|---|