displays HH-46E '02' from VMR-1 Cherry Point MCAS N.C. ==Specifications (CH-46E)== ==See also== ==References== Citations Bibliography Andrade, John U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909.
The commercial version of the rotorcraft is the BV 107-II, commonly referred to simply as the "Vertol". ==Development== ===Origins=== During the 1940s and 1950s, American rotorcraft manufacturer Piasecki Helicopter emerged as a pioneering developer of tandem-rotor helicopters; perhaps the most famous of these being the piston-powered H-21 "Flying Banana", an early utility and transport helicopter.
The commercial version of the rotorcraft is the BV 107-II, commonly referred to simply as the "Vertol". ==Development== ===Origins=== During the 1940s and 1950s, American rotorcraft manufacturer Piasecki Helicopter emerged as a pioneering developer of tandem-rotor helicopters; perhaps the most famous of these being the piston-powered H-21 "Flying Banana", an early utility and transport helicopter.
Vietnam Choppers: Helicopters in Battle 1950–1975, Osprey Publishing, 2003.
During 1955, Piasecki was officially renamed as Vertol Corporation (standing for vertical take-off and landing); it was around this time that work commenced on the development of a new generation of tandem rotor helicopter.
It was designed by Vertol and manufactured by Boeing Vertol following Vertol's acquisition by Boeing. Development of the Sea Knight, which was originally designated by the firm as the Vertol Model 107, commenced during 1956.
During 1956, the new design received the internal company designation of Vertol Model 107, or simply V-107; this rotorcraft differed from its predecessors by harnessing the newly developed turboshaft engine instead of piston-based counterparts.
On 22 April 1958, the V-107 prototype performed its maiden flight.
During June 1958, the US Army awarded a contract for the construction of ten production-standard aircraft, designated as the YHC-1A, based on the V-107; this initial order was later cut down to three YHC-1As though.
During that year, construction of a prototype, powered by a pair of Lycoming T53 turboshaft engines, each one being capable of producing 877 shp (640 kW), commenced. On 22 April 1958, the V-107 prototype performed its maiden flight.
During June 1958, it was announced that the U.S.
During August 1959, the first YHC-1A-model rotorcraft conducted its first flight; independently, it was shortly followed by the maiden flight of an improved model intended for the commercial and export markets, designated 107-II. During 1960, the U.S.
During August 1959, the first YHC-1A-model rotorcraft conducted its first flight; independently, it was shortly followed by the maiden flight of an improved model intended for the commercial and export markets, designated 107-II. During 1960, the U.S.
Starting in the mid-1990s, the Dynamic Component Upgrade (DCU) programmes was enacted, focusing on the implementation of strengthened drive systems and modified rotor controls. The commercial variant, the BV 107-II, was first ordered by New York Airways during 1960.
During 1961, the US Marine Corps (USMC), who had been studying its requirements for a medium-lift, twin-turbine cargo/troop assault helicopter, selected Boeing Vertol's Model 107M as the basis from which to manufacture a suitable rotorcraft to meet their needs.
Following a competition between several competing designs, during early 1961, it was announced that Boeing Vertol had been selected to manufacture its model 107M for the U.S.
During 1962, the U.S.
Air Force opted to procure the rival Sikorsky S-61R in its place. Following the Sea Knight's first flight in August 1962, the military designation was changed to CH-46A.
During July 1962, they took delivery of their first three aircraft, which was configured to seat up to 25 passengers.
Later redesignated YCH-46C, three built. HRB-1: Original designation before being renamed as CH-46A before delivery under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system. CH-46A: Medium-lift assault and cargo transport and SAR helicopter for the USMC, fitted with two 1,250 shp (935 kW) General Electric T58-GE-8 turboshaft engines.
Nine SH-3As were converted to the RH-3A configuration instead. UH-46B: Development of the CH-46A to specification HX/H2 for the United States Air Force; 12 ordered in 1962, cancelled and Sikorsky S-61R / CH-3C ordered instead. YCH-46C: YHC-1A redesignated in 1962.
The RCAF Labradors were delivered first with the first one entering service on 11 October 1963.
In October 2005 Columbia Helicopters of Aurora, Oregon purchased eight of the retired CH-113 Labradors to add to their fleet of 15 Vertol 107-II helicopters. === Sweden === In 1963, Sweden procured ten UH-46Bs from the US as a transport and anti-submarine helicopter for the Swedish Armed Forces, designated Hkp 4A.
During November 1964, the introduction of the Marines' CH-46A and the Navy's UH-46As commenced.
During 1965, Boeing Vertol sold the manufacturing rights of the 107 to Japanese conglomerate Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
The CH-46A was equipped with a pair of T58-GE8-8B turboshaft engines, each being rated at 1,250 shp (930 kW); these allowed the Sea Knight to carry up to 17 passengers or a maximum of 4,000 pounds (1,815 kg) of cargo. ===Further developments=== During 1966, production of the improved CH-46D commenced with deliveries following shortly thereafter.
CH-46 operations were plagued by major technical problems; the engines, being prone to foreign object damage (FOD) from debris being ingested when hovering close to the ground and subsequently suffering a compressor stall, had a lifespan as low as 85 flight hours; on 21 July 1966, all CH-46s were grounded until more efficient filters had been fitted. On 3 May 1967, a CH-46D at Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana crashed, killing all four members of the crew.
The accident was caused by mechanical failure due to contaminated lubricants. On 15 July 1966 during Operation Hastings, two CH-46As BuNo 151930 and BuNo 151936 of HMM-164 collided at Landing Zone Crow while another, BuNo 151961, crashed into a tree avoiding the first two, resulting in 2 Marines killed.
During late 1967, the improved model was introduced to the Vietnam theater, where it supplemented the U.S.
CH-46 operations were plagued by major technical problems; the engines, being prone to foreign object damage (FOD) from debris being ingested when hovering close to the ground and subsequently suffering a compressor stall, had a lifespan as low as 85 flight hours; on 21 July 1966, all CH-46s were grounded until more efficient filters had been fitted. On 3 May 1967, a CH-46D at Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana crashed, killing all four members of the crew.
The cause of the crash again was traced to failure of the main transmission. On 31 August 1967, a CH-46A on a medical evacuation mission to disintegrated in midair killing all its occupants.
The modified CH-46As began returning to service in December 1967 and all had been returned to service by February 1968. During the 1972 Easter Offensive, Sea Knights saw heavy use to convey US and South Vietnamese ground forces to and around the front lines.
In addition, approximately 33 CH-46As were progressively re-manufactured to the CH-46D standard. Between 1968 and 1971, the U.S.
The modified CH-46As began returning to service in December 1967 and all had been returned to service by February 1968. During the 1972 Easter Offensive, Sea Knights saw heavy use to convey US and South Vietnamese ground forces to and around the front lines.
By the end of US military operations in Vietnam, over a hundred Sea Knights had been lost to enemy fire. ====Post Vietnam==== In February 1968 the Marine Corps Development and Education Command obtained several CH-46s to perform herbicide dissemination tests using HIDAL (Helicopter, Insecticide Dispersal Apparatus, Liquid) systems; testing indicated the need for redesign and further study.
Prototype BV-107-II N6679D Bought used from Boeing in 1970. United States 150954 – USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California displays HH-46A (c/n 2040) as U.S.
In addition, approximately 33 CH-46As were progressively re-manufactured to the CH-46D standard. Between 1968 and 1971, the U.S.
The modified CH-46As began returning to service in December 1967 and all had been returned to service by February 1968. During the 1972 Easter Offensive, Sea Knights saw heavy use to convey US and South Vietnamese ground forces to and around the front lines.
In 1973, a further eight Kawasaki-built KV-107s, which were accordingly designated Hkp 4B, were acquired to replace the older Piasecki H-21.
The CH-46 took part in Operation Frequent Wind and was used to evacuate Ambassador Graham Martin, the last United States Ambassador to South Vietnam from the United States Embassy, Saigon on 30 April 1975. 156427 – Veterans Museum Dyersburg Army Air Base in Halls, Tennessee has YP-05, a CH-46E wearing the Evileyes of HMM-163. 153369 – National Air and Space Museum at the Steven F.
Midland Counties Publications, 1979.
In the 1980s, the Hkp 4A was phased out, having been replaced by the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma; the later Kawasaki-built Sea Knights continued in operational service until 2011, they were replaced by the UH-60 Black Hawk and NH90. ===Civilian=== The civilian version, designated as the BV 107-II Vertol, was developed prior to the military CH-46.
174 built, later reverted to CH-46E. VH-46F: Unofficial designation of standard CH-46F used by HMX-1 as VIP support transport helicopter. CH-46X: Replacement helicopter based on the Boeing Model 360, this Advance Technology Demonstrator from the 1980s never entered production.
In 1981, a mid-life upgrade of the fleet was carried out by Boeing Canada in Arnprior, Ontario.
London: Aviation Press Limited, 1982.
Nuclear Weapon Accident Exercise 1983 (NUWAX-83), simulating the crash of a Navy CH-46E carrying 3 nuclear warheads, was conducted at the Nevada Test Site on behalf of several federal agencies; the exercise, which used real radiological agents, was depicted in a Defense Nuclear Agency-produced documentary. U.S.
A total of six CH-113s and five CH-113As were upgraded with the last delivered in 1984. In 1992, it was announced that the Labradors were to be replaced by 15 new helicopters, a variant of the AgustaWestland EH101, designated CH-149 Chimo.
By the 1990s, heavy use and hostile weather conditions had taken their toll on the Labrador fleet, resulting in increasing maintenance costs and the need for prompt replacement.
A total of six CH-113s and five CH-113As were upgraded with the last delivered in 1984. In 1992, it was announced that the Labradors were to be replaced by 15 new helicopters, a variant of the AgustaWestland EH101, designated CH-149 Chimo.
The order was subsequently cancelled by the Jean Chrétien Liberal government in 1993, resulting in cancellation penalties, as well as extending the service life of the Labrador fleet.
However, in 1998, a CH-113 from CFB Greenwood crashed on Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula while returning from a SAR mission, resulting in the deaths of all crewmembers on board.
and the UK at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. On 2 October 1998, a CH-113 Labrador crashed near Marsoui, Quebec, after an inflight fire.
All 6 crewmembers were killed. On 9 December 1999, a CH-46D Sea Knight BuNo 154790 of HMM-166 crashed during a boarding exercise off the coast of San Diego, California, killing seven U.S.
The Sea Knight also functioned as the US Navy's standard medium-lift utility helicopter prior to the type being phased out of service in favor of the MH-60S Knighthawk during the early 2000s.
Marine Corps during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
In one incident on 1 April 2003, Marine CH-46Es and CH-53Es carried U.S.
CH-149 deliveries began in 2003, allowing the last CH-113 to be retired in 2004.
Vietnam Choppers: Helicopters in Battle 1950–1975, Osprey Publishing, 2003.
Canada operated the Sea Knight, designated as CH-113; the type was used predominantly in the search and rescue (SAR) role until 2004.
Navy retired the type on 24 September 2004, replacing it with the MH-60S Seahawk; the Marine Corps maintained its fleet as the MV-22 Osprey was fielded.
CH-149 deliveries began in 2003, allowing the last CH-113 to be retired in 2004.
In October 2005 Columbia Helicopters of Aurora, Oregon purchased eight of the retired CH-113 Labradors to add to their fleet of 15 Vertol 107-II helicopters. === Sweden === In 1963, Sweden procured ten UH-46Bs from the US as a transport and anti-submarine helicopter for the Swedish Armed Forces, designated Hkp 4A.
Harvard University Press, 2005.
On 15 December 2006, Columbia Helicopters, Inc acquired the type certificate for the BV 107-II; at the time, the company was reportedly in the process of acquiring a Production Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In March 2006 Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMM-263) was deactivated and redesignated VMM-263 to serve as the first MV-22 squadron.
Among the diversity of tasks was pulling a [barge], and constructing transmission towers for overhead power lines. In December 2006, Columbia Helicopters purchased the type certificate of the Model 107 from Boeing, with the aim of eventually producing new-build aircraft themselves. ==Variants== ===American versions=== Model 107: Company model number for basic prototype, one built. Model 107-II: Commercial airline helicopter.
Osprey Publishing, 2007.
Known colloquially as the "Phrog" and formally as the "Sea Knight", it was operated across all US Marine Corps' operational environments between its introduction during the Vietnam War and its frontline retirement during 2014. The Sea Knight was operated by the 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 during the 2010s.
In the 1980s, the Hkp 4A was phased out, having been replaced by the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma; the later Kawasaki-built Sea Knights continued in operational service until 2011, they were replaced by the UH-60 Black Hawk and NH90. ===Civilian=== The civilian version, designated as the BV 107-II Vertol, was developed prior to the military CH-46.
Known colloquially as the "Phrog" and formally as the "Sea Knight", it was operated across all US Marine Corps' operational environments between its introduction during the Vietnam War and its frontline retirement during 2014. The Sea Knight was operated by the 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 during the 2010s.
Marine operational environments between its introduction during the Vietnam War and its frontline retirement in 2014.
The replacement process continued through the other medium helicopter squadrons into 2014.
On 5 October 2014, the Sea Knight performed its final service flight with the U.S.
On 9 April 2015, the CH-46 was retired by the Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 164, the last Marine Corps squadron to transition to the MV-22.
The USMC retired the CH-46 on 1 August 2015 in a ceremony at the Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington DC.
The last flight of a Marine Corps H-46 took place on 25 September 2015 at MCAS Cherry Point and ended the 57-year Cherry Point Search and Rescue program. ===Canada=== The Royal Canadian Air Force procured six CH-113 Labrador helicopters for the SAR role and the Canadian Army acquired 12 of the similar CH-113A Voyageur for the medium-lift transport role.
The aircraft was last flown on 1 August 2015 at the Marine Corps' formal sunset ceremony for the type which was the last public showing of an airworthy Marine Corps CH-46. 157688 – Classic Rotors Rotorcraft Museum in Ramona, CA.
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