{
  "id": "ch-47-chinook",
  "name": "CH-47 Chinook",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "USA",
  "category": "Medium transport helicopter",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1962,
  "operators": [
    "ARE",
    "AUS",
    "CAN",
    "EGY",
    "ESP",
    "GBR",
    "GRC",
    "IND",
    "IRN",
    "ITA",
    "JPN",
    "KOR",
    "MAR",
    "NLD",
    "OMN",
    "SAU",
    "SGP",
    "THA",
    "TUR",
    "TWN",
    "USA",
    "VNM"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 22,
  "summary": "The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor, heavy-lift helicopter developed by American rotorcraft company Vertol and manufactured by Boeing Vertol (later known as Boeing Rotorcraft Systems). The CH-47 is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": [
        2,
        4
      ],
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "payload_kg",
      "v": 10300,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 15.54,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 5.77,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "mass_kg",
      "v": 10100,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Empty weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "2 x Textron Lycoming T55-L-712",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "2 x 3 750 shp",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_kmh",
      "v": 256,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_km",
      "v": [
        56,
        185
      ],
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "note": "56 - 185 km with maximum internal and external payload"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Weapon System",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "This military transport helicopter can be armed with up to three 7.62 mm machine guns or miniguns. Two of them can be mounted in the doors and one on loading ramp.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "HC-1B",
      "text": "The pre-1962 designation for Model 114 development aircraft that would be redesignated CH-47 Chinook",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "CH-47A",
      "text": "The all-weather, medium-lift CH-47A Chinook was powered initially by Lycoming T55-L-5 engines rated at 2,200 horsepower (1,640 kW), but then replaced by the T55-L-7 rated at 2,650 hp (1,980 kW) engines or T55-L-7C engines rated at 2,850 hp (2,130 kW).",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "ACH-47A",
      "text": "The ACH-47A was originally known as the Armed/Armored CH-47A (or A/ACH-47A). It was officially designated ACH-47A as a U.S. Army Attack Cargo Helicopter, and unofficially referred to as Guns A Go-Go.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "CH-47B",
      "text": "The CH-47B was an interim solution while Boeing worked on a more substantially improved CH-47C. The CH-47B was powered by two Lycoming T55-L-7C 2,850 shp (2,130 kW) engines.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "CH-47C",
      "text": "The CH-47C principally featured more powerful engines and transmissions. Three sub-versions were built; the first had Lycoming T55-L-7C engines delivering 2,850 shp (2,130 kW).",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "CH-47D",
      "text": "The CH-47D shares the same airframe as earlier models, the main difference being the adoption of more powerful engines. Early CH-47Ds were originally powered by two T55-L-712 engines, the most common engine is the later T55-GA-714A.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "MH-47D",
      "text": "The MH-47D variant was developed for special forces operations and has inflight refueling capability, a fast rope-rappelling system, and other upgrades. The MH-47D was used by U.S. Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "MH-47E",
      "text": "The MH-47E has been used by U.S. Army Special Operations. Beginning with the E-model prototype manufactured in 1991, a total of 26 Special Operations Aircraft were produced.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-47-chinook"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "helicopter",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/ch-47-chinook.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-ch-47-chinook": {
      "title": "CH-47 Chinook American Medium Transport Helicopter",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/CH-47_Chinook_American_Medium_Transport_Helicopter",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}