Boeing Vertol CH-46 Chevalier de mer | |
|---|---|
| Pays | Usa |
| Type | Hélicoptère de transport de rotor de tandem de transport de moyen-portance |
| Période | 1964 – 2015 |
Lla Boeing Vertol CH-46 Chevalier de mer est un hélicoptère de transport à rotor tandem à portance moyenne. Il est utilisé par le Corps des Marines des États-Unis (USMC) pour assurer le transport d’assaut tous temps, jour et nuit, des troupes de combat, des fournitures et du matériel. D’autres tâches comprennent le soutien au combat, la recherche et le sauvetage (SAR), le soutien aux points de ravitaillement et de réarmement vers l’avant, casevac et récupération tactique des aéronefs et du personnel (TRAP). Le Sea Knight était aussi l’US Navy’s standard medium-lift utility helicopter until it was phased out in favor of the MH-60S Knighthawk in the early 2000s. Canada also operated the Sea Knight, designated as CH-113, and operated them in the SAR role until 2004. Other export customers include Japan, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia. The commercial version is the BV 107-II, commonly referred to simply as the « Vertol ».
Source: Wikipedia
| Boeing Vertol CH-46 Chevalier de mer | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Inconnu |
| Localisation | Inconnu |
| Photos | 108 |
| Boeing CH-46 Seaknight Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Cees Hendriks |
| Localisation | Inconnu |
| Photos | 52 |
| Boeing Vertol CH-46B Sea Khight Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Inconnu |
| Localisation | Inconnu |
| Photos | 18 |
Voir aussi :
| Boeing CH-46E Sea Knight Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Spectacle aérien défi vertical |
| Photos | 109 |
The Master of Vertical Replenishment
Lla CH-46 Sea Knight is a medium-lift tandem-rotor transport helicopter that served as the backbone of U.S. Marine Corps assault support and Navy ship-to-ship logistics for over five decades. Affectionately known as the « Phrog » due to its squat appearance and tendency to « hop » during taxi, it was designed to provide rapid transport for troops and cargo from amphibious assault ships to inland landing zones. While the larger Army CH-47 Chinook is more famous, the Sea Knight was the specialized naval variant, featuring a smaller footprint optimized for carrier deck operations and a unique ability to land on water in emergencies.
| Attribute | Technical Specification (CH-46E) |
|---|---|
| Rôle | Medium-Lift Assault Transport |
| Crew | 4 (2 Pilots, 1 Crew Chief, 1 Aerial Gunner) |
| Capacité | 24 Troops or 15 Litters or 2,270 kg (5,000 lbs) cargo |
| Moteur | 2 × General Electric T58-GE-16 turboshafts (1,870 shp each) |
| Vitesse maximale | 267 km/h (166 mph) |
| Rotor Diameter | 15.24 m (50 ft) each |
| Armement | 2 × 12.7 mm M2 Browning or 7.62 mm M240 machine guns |
| Special Feature | Amphibious hull for water landings |
Design Engineering: The Tandem Advantage
- Tandem Rotor Configuration: Unlike conventional helicopters, the CH-46 uses two counter-rotating rotors. This eliminates the need for a tail rotor (which wastes power) and allows the helicopter to dedicate all engine power to lift. It also provides a massive center-of-gravity envelope, making it much easier to load unbalanced cargo.
- Lla « Kneeling » Ramp: The rear loading ramp could be adjusted to different heights or even opened in flight for paradrops. The landing gear could « kneel, » lowering the rear of the helicopter to make loading heavy pallets or vehicles simpler and faster.
- Water Operation: The Sea Knight features a sealed, boat-like lower hull. While not intended for cruising, it can land on calm water and remain afloat for up to two hours for emergency rescues or to allow specialized teams to deploy directly into the sea.
- Foldable Rotors: Space is a premium on aircraft carriers. The CH-46’s rotor blades are designed to fold automatically, allowing it to be stored in tight hangar bays or moved on deck elevators that would be too small for land-based helicopters.
Operational History: Fifty Years of « Phrog » Life
- Vietnam War: The CH-46 earned its reputation in the jungles of Vietnam, where it flew thousands of CASEVAC and troop insertion missions. Despite early structural issues that required strengthening the rear pylon, it became the Marines’ most trusted transport.
- Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP): For the Navy, the CH-46 was the primary tool for moving supplies between ships at sea. It could hover over a pitching deck, drop a sling load, and return for more, keeping the fleet supplied without the need for docking.
- Desert Storm and Beyond: The Sea Knight served through every major U.S. conflict from the 1960s through the early 2000s, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Its simplicity and robust airframe allowed it to operate in harsh, sandy environments that grounded more modern, sensitive aircraft.
- The Osprey Succession: After nearly 50 years of service, the CH-46 was officially retired by the Marine Corps in 2015, replaced by the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey. However, the « Phrog » still flies today with several international operators and civilian firefighting units.
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Canada also operated the Sea Knight, designated as CH-113