CH-46E Sea Knight
| CH-46 Sea Knight | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| A U.S. Marine Corps CH-46 "Phrog" of HMM-364 flies over Huntington Beach, California in October 2011. | |
| Role | Cargo helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer |
Vertol Aircraft Corp. Boeing Vertol |
| First flight | 22 April 1958 (V-107) |
| Introduction | 1964 |
| Retired | 2004 (United States Navy) 2015 (USMC) |
| Status | In limited service |
| Primary users |
United States Marine Corps (historical) United States Navy (historical) Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (historical) United States State Department |
| Produced | 1962–1971 |
| Number built | H-46: 524 |
The Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight is a medium-lift tandem rotor transport helicopter powered by twin turboshaft aircraft engines. It was used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment until it was replaced by the MV-22 Osprey. Additional tasks included combat support, search and rescue (SAR), support for forward refueling and rearming points, CASEVAC and Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP).
The Sea Knight was also the United States Navy's standard medium-lift utility helicopter until it was phased out in favor of the MH-60S Knighthawk in the early 2000s. Canada also operated the Sea Knight, designated as CH-113, and operated them in the SAR role until 2004. Other export customers include Japan, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia. The commercial version is the BV 107-II, commonly referred to simply as the "Vertol".
Piasecki Helicopter was a pioneering developer of tandem-rotor helicopters, with the most famous previous helicopter being the H-21 "Flying Banana". Piasecki Helicopter became Vertol in 1955 and work began on a new tandem rotor helicopter designated the Vertol Model 107 or V-107 in 1956. The V-107 prototype had two Lycoming T53 turboshaft engines, producing 877 shp (640 kW) each. The first flight of the V-107 took place on 22 April 1958. The V-107 was then put through a flight demonstration tour in the United States and overseas. In June 1958, the U.S. Army awarded a contract to Vertol for ten production aircraft designated "YHC-1A".
The order was later decreased to three, so that the Army could divert funds for the V-114, also a turbine powered tandem, but larger than the V-107. The Army's three YHC-1As were powered by GE-T-58 engines. The YHC-1As first flew in August 1959, and were followed by an improved commercial/export model, the 107-II. During 1960, the U.S. Marine Corps evolved a requirement for a medium-lift, twin-turbine troop/cargo assault helicopter to replace the piston-engined types then in use. That same year Boeing acquired Vertol and renamed the group Boeing Vertol. Following a competition, Boeing Vertol was selected to build its model 107M as the HRB-1, early in 1961. In 1962 the U.S. Air Force ordered 12 XCH-46B Sea Knights with the XH-49A designation, but later cancelled the order due to a delivery delay and opted for the Sikorsky S-61R instead.
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