Aircraft Information

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Manufacturer: Boeing Country of Origin: USA

Model: UH-46/ CH-46 Sea Knight

Information:

First Flown in 1958, the CH-46 Sea Knight was dueto be replaced by the V-22 Osprey in the early 1980's.

The safety, reliability and maintainability modification kit program of the late 1980s provided a fully modernized H-46 fleet that can operate economically through the 1990s. Recent kit deliveries are aimed at extending the H-46 fleet's performance, safety, economy and longevity well into the next century.

Increased-fuel-capacity kits
In 1990, Boeing began delivering increased-fuel-capacity kits that effectively double the mission radius of Marine Corps CH-46E helicopters from 80 nm (148 km) to 160 nm (297 km). The government's order for 49 kits was completed in May 1991.

Emergency-flotation kits
In 1990, Boeing began delivery to U.S. Navy depots of two separate kits that make up an emergency-flotation system for Marine Corps CH-46Es and Navy UH-46Ds. Deliveries of 194 flotation mission kits were completed in September 1991, and deliveries of 211 flotation provision kits were completed in March 1992.

Engine condition control kits
In March 1992, Boeing received a contract covering the non-recurring portion of an order for 442 engine condition control system (ECCS) kits. A contract covering production of ECCS kits was signed by the end of 1992. Deliveries began in the summer of 1993 and were completed in August 1994.

Night-vision goggle kits
In late April 1992, Boeing received a contract for 242 night-vision goggle (NVG) kits. NVG kit deliveries began in the summer of 1993 and were completed in August 1994.

Dynamic components upgrade
In July 1992, Boeing received a $41.7 million contract to design, test, verify and validate improved dynamic components for the H-46 fleet. Since then, Boeing has received production contracts for 421 dynamic component upgrade kits valued at $375 million. The kits will replace all drive train and rotating parts with new and, in some cases, upgraded parts. Deliveries began in September 1995 and will end in 2000.

Specifications

Description Twin-turbine, tandem-rotor transport helicopter
Program status Improvement kit development and fabrication; customer support
Customer U.S. Naval Air Systems Command
Operators U.S. Navy (UH-46D, HH-46D); U.S. Marine Corps (CH-46E)
Missions U.S. Navy: Vertical replenishment (VERTREP), vertical on-board delivery (VOD), search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (medevac), combat support, special weapons carriage, special warfare and general utility. U.S. Marine Corps: Combat assault, SAR, medevac; and movement of troops, ammunition, supplies and equipment on the battlefield.
Production, U.S.
Start 1960
Completion 1971
Models Total built -- 666
Prototype model designations, United States: 107 and YCH-1A.
Prototype model designations, United States: CH-46A, UH-46A, CH-46D, UH-46D, HH-46D, CH-46E; Canada: CH-113A; Sweden: HKP-4
[U.S. Marine Corps CH-46E created through CILOP (conversion in lieu of production) program, 1977-1983, eliminating all As-, Fs- and CH-46Ds.]
Production, Japan
Start 1961
Completion Feb. 16, 1990
Models Total built --
160 Variations fabricated under license by Kawasaki Heavy Industries included KV-107IIs for Japan and Saudi Arabia.
1st flight April 1958 -- Model 107 (civil predecessor to CH-46A)
1st rollout April 1962 -- CH-46A
1st deliveries May 1962 -- U.S. Marine Corps CH-46A
June 1964 -- U.S. Navy UH-46A
Milestones
1st flight April 1958 -- Model 107 (civil predecessor to CH-46A)
1st rollout April 1962 -- CH-46A
1st deliveries May 1962 -- U.S. Marine Corps CH-46A
June 1964 -- U.S. Navy UH-46A
Specifications provided for a CH-46E Sea Knight
ENGINES
Manufacturer General Electric
Model Two T58-GE-16
Max shp (kw) 1,870 (1,395)
Cont shp (kw) 1,770 (1,320)
TRANSMISSIONS
Max shp (kw) 2,800 (2,088)
Rotor System
Blades per hub
3
Construction
fiberglass
Speed, rpm
264
Diameter, ft(m) 51.0 (15.54)
Disc area ft2 (m2) 2,042.8 (189.8)
Blade folding
powered
PERFORMANCE [at 20,800 lbs (9,455 kg)]
SL cruise, kts (km/h) 134 248
Vmcp, kts (km/h) 143 (265)
Rate of climb, fpm (m/m) 2,045 (625)
Service ceiling, ft (m) 14,000 (4,267)
HIGE, ft (m) 14,000 (4,267)
HIGE, ISA + 20 degrees C, ft (m) 12,580 (3,834)
HOGE, ft (m) 11,970 (3,649)
HOGE, ISA + 20 degrees C, ft (m) 8,600 (2,621)
Range, SL and ISA, nm (km) 365 (676)
ACCOMMODATION
Cockpit -- crew seats
2
Cabin -- troop seats, litters
25/15
DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL
Length, fuselage, ft (m) 45.67 (13.92)
Length, rotors turning, ft (m) 84.33 (25.70)
Dist. between rotor centers, ft (m) 33.33 (10.16)
wheel base, ft (m) 24.83 (7.57)
width, fuselage, ft (m) 7.25 (2.21)
width, landing gear, ft (m) 14.52 (4.43)
width, sponsons, ft (m) 14.75 (4.50)
Height, to top of aft hub, ft (m) 16.13
(4.92)
Ground clearance, aft rotor, ft (m) 16.97 (5.17)
Ground clearance, fuselage, ft (m) 1.30 (0.41)
DIMENSIONS, INTERNAL
Length, max, ft (m) 24.17 (7.37)
width, max, ft (m) 6.00 (1.83)
Height, max, ft (m) 6.00 (1.83)
WEIGHTS
Max gross, lbs (kg) 24,300 (11,023)
Empty, lbs (kg) 15,537 (7,048)
Useful load, lbs (kg) 8,763 (3,975)
Cargo hook, lbs (kg) l0,000 (4,536)
FUEL CAPACITY
Sponsons, gals (liters) 660 (2,498)

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