FORCETALLY
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At a glance
Measured figures
Chinook HC6A · 2 ×
Single sourceChinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Rotor diameter · Rotor
Single source2 × 60 ft 0 in (18.29 m)[source]
18.29m[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Rotor
CH-53E · Main rotor diameter
Single source79 ft 0 in (24.08 m)[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; CH-53E · Empty weight
Single sourceMaximum take-off; CH-53E · Max takeoff weight
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
5: 2 pilots, 1 crew chief/right gunner, 1 left gunner, 1 tail gunner (combat crew)[source]
Maximum; Chinook HC6A · Maximum speed
Single sourceMaximum; Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Maximum speed · Maximum speed
Single source160 kn (180 mph, 300 km/h)[source]
160kt[source]Chinook / RAF specification (variant not stated) · Maximum speed
Cruise; CH-53E · Cruise speed
Single sourceMaximum; CH-53E · Maximum speed
Single sourceCH-53E · Combat range
Single source180 nmi (210 mi, 330 km)[source]
Chinook 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]
CH-53E · 3 × General Electric T64-GE-416 / GE-416A / GE-419 turboshaft engines, 4,380 shp ( ) each
Single source3 × General Electric T64-GE-416 / GE-416A / GE-419 turboshaft engines, 4,380 shp (3,270 kW) each[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
Configuration
| Specification | Boeing Chinook (UK variants) | Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Transport helicopter[source] | Heavy-lift cargo helicopter[source] |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Defense, Space & Security[source] | Sikorsky Aircraft[source] |
| Designer | Boeing-Vertol[source] | — |
| Status | In service[source] | In service[source] |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force[source] | — |
| Number built | 72 (all RAF models)[source] | 172[source] |
| Introduction date | 22 November 1980 (with RAF)[source] | 1981[source] |
| First flight | 23 March 1980 (HC1)[source] | 1 March 1974[source] |
| Developed from | Boeing CH-47 Chinook[source] | Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion[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] | 37 troops with default folding canvas seats, 55 troops with center row added, and 31 with new crash attenuating seats. Internal payload: 32,000 lb (14,515 kg); External payload: 36,000 lb (16,329 kg)[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 | 2 × .50 BMG (12.7 × 99 mm) window-mounted GAU-21 machine guns 1 × .50 BMG (12.7 × 99 mm) ramp-mounted weapons system, GAU-21 (M3M mounted machine gun)[source] |
| Main rotor area | 5,655.2 sq ft (525.39 m 2 )[source] | 4,900 sq ft (460 m 2 ) Sikorsky SC1095[source] |
| 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 | — |
| National origin | — | United States[source] |
| Primary users | — | United States Marine Corps United States Navy Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (historical)[source] |
| Manufactured | — | 1978–1980s[source] |
| Developed into | — | Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion[source] |
| Never exceed speed | — | 170 kn (200 mph, 310 km/h)[source] |
| Other | — | Chaff and flare dispensers[source] |