CH-46 Sea Knight

Primary function: Medium lift assault support helicopter
Manufacturer: Boeing Vertol Company
Power plant: (2) GE-T58-16 engines

Thrust: Burst: 1870 shaft horsepower (SHP), Continuous: 1770 SHP

Length: Rotors unfolded: 84 feet, 4 inches (25.69 meters); Rotors folded: 45 feet, 7.5 inches (13.89 meters)

Width: Rotors unfolded: 51 feet (15.54 meters); Rotors folded: 14 feet, 9 inches (4.49 meters)

Height: 16 feet, 8 inches (5.08 meters)
Maximum takeoff weight: 24,300 pounds (11,032 kilograms)
Range: 132 nautical miles (151.8 miles) for an assault mission
Speed: 145 knots (166.75 miles per hour)
Ceiling: 10,000 feet (+)

Crew: 4 - pilot, copilot, crew chief, and 1st mechanic/aerial gunner

Payload: 9-16 passengers/combat troops; Medical evacuation: 15 litters and 2 attendants; Cargo: 2,000 - 4,000 pounds (2270 kilograms) internal or external load

Introduction date: January 1978 (for the “E” model upgraded from the “A” / “D” airframes)

Unit Replacement Cost: Out of production.

Mission: The mission of the CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter in a Marine Medium Helicopter (HMM) squadron is to provide all-weather, day/night, night vision goggle (NVG) assault transport of combat troops, supplies, and equipment during amphibious and subsequent operations ashore. Troop assault is the primary function and the movement of supplies and equipment is secondary. Additional tasks are: combat and assault support for evacuation operations and other maritime special operations; over-water search and rescue augmentation; support for mobile forward refueling and rearming points; aeromedical evacuation of casualties from the field to suitable medical facilities.

Background: The CH-46 Sea Knight was first procured in 1964 to meet the medium-lift requirements of the Marine Corps in Viet Nam with a program buy of 600 aircraft.  The aircraft continues to serve the Marine Corps in combat and peacetime environments. However, normal airframe operational and attrition rates have taken these assets to the point where a medium lift replacement is required.  Safety and capability upgrades such as the Engine Reliability Improvement Program, the Communication and Navigation Control System, and Dynamic Component Upgrade allow continued safe and effective operation of the Sea Knight fleet while the MV-22 Osprey is fielded as the medium lift replacement aircraft for the Marine Corps.

Inventory: 229