Page 402 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

400 HELICOPTERS

GE 1945–PRESENT The helicopter has been a major force in ▼ BELL UH-1 IROQUOIS The UH-1 “Huey”—which first saw

service during the Vietnam War—was
Date 1959 Origin US
transforming warfare on the modern battlefield.
a workhorse of the US Army, operating
Rotor span 48ft (14.63m)
in many roles, including gunship, troop
Transport helicopters—such as the CH-47
Length 57ft (17.4m)
transport, search and rescue, liaison,
Chinook and the UH-60 Black Hawk—are able
and casualty evacuation.
Top speed 135mph (217kph)
to deliver heavy stores to forward troops, and
Engine 1,100hp (820kW) Lycoming
having no need for a runway they can do this
T53-L-11 turboshaft
in almost any type of terrain. More important
helicopter, or “helicopter gunship,” which
provides close air support to ground troops
A still has been the introduction of the attack Fenestron shrouded
tail rotor
THE NUCLEAR up as a troop carrier. and tanks (cover open) Tail boom Wide sliding Underfloor skids
and targets enemy armor. The Russian MI-24
Hind is a rare hybrid—a gunship that doubles
side door
Hydraulic power units

Cabin window
(jettisonable)

▶ BOEING VERTOL CH-47 CHINOOK
Date 1962 Origin US
Rotor span 60ft (18.3m) each
Length 99ft (30.2m)
Top speed 196mph (315kph)
Engine Two 3,750hp (2,796kW)
Lycoming T55-GA-712 turboshafts
The twin-rotor CH-47 has been one of the
longest-serving and most effective of cargo-
carrying helicopters. Large loads can be slung Utility hatch Fuel tank
underneath the helicopter, and a wide loading
ramp is situated at the rear.

Cargo hook

Two-crew tandem cockpit
Engine exhaust duct

▼ MESSERSCHMITT-BÖLKOW- The BO-105 was the first helicopter
BLOHM BO-105 to offer the safety provided by twin
Date 1971 Origin West Germany engines. Its low weight and agile
performance were combined with a
1
TOW missiles (four on each stub wing) Rotor span 32 ⁄4ft (9.84m) potent punch provided by six HOT
Two 7.62mm Length 39ft (11.86m) (High subsonic Optical remote-guided
▲ BELL AH-1 COBRA The first dedicated gunship— miniguns Top speed 167mph (270kph) fired from Tube) anti-tank missiles.
Date 1967 Origin US with a fighter-style two-man
cockpit—the AH-1 Cobra Engine Two 420hp (313kW)
Rotor span 44ft (13.6m) proved highly effective in Allison 250-C20B turboshafts
Length 52.3ft (16.1m) Vietnam, providing close fire
Top speed 196mph (315kph) support to slower and more
vulnerable helicopters such
Engine 1,800hp (1,300kW)
Lycoming T53-L-703 turboshaft as the UH-1.

Tail boom with German
Air Force insignia