CH-47SD "Super D" Chinook

The CH-47SD or "Super D" Chinook tandem-rotor helicopter is the new standard CH-47 model. Although aimed primarily at the international market, the rotorcraft also will be available to the U.S. armed forces. The new Boeing "Super D" Chinook completed its first test Flight on August 26, 1999. The Boeing Company began production of the CH-47SD in March 1998. The production decision followed the completion of contract negotiations with an unnamed international customer for six of the new Chinooks. On 05 January 2000 Boeing announced that it had signed a contract calling for the delivery of nine CH-47SD (Super D) Chinook helicopters to Taiwan under a Foreign Military Sale agreement with the U.S. government. The procurement, valued in excess of $300 million, includes logistical support. Deliveries began in 2001.

The CH-47SD retains the familiar external profile of the CH-47D Chinook, but provides long-range fuel tanks with 2,068-gallon capacity, doubling the operational range of the D-model. In addition, the new Chinook will utilize the longer "radar nose," found on the MH-47E Special Operations Chinook and several international CH-47Ds, which can accommodate radar antennas.

It incorporates several significant system improvements as standard equipment, such as a fully integrated glass cockpit with automated flight controls, and full authority digital engine control. The CH-47SD's cockpit is state of the art, with a fully integrated cockpit management system, including automated flight controls. The new Chinook also is the first model to utilize full-color digital display units. Developed by Boeing and Honeywell, instrumentation includes a complete digital GPS/INS navigation/communication suite with radar altimeter. The cockpit also has provisions for a digital map, forward-looking infrared imager, head-up display, weather radar, and data transfer system. In addition, health and usage monitoring systems are available. Airborne survivability equipment includes radar and missile warning systems and chaff/flare dispensers.

The SD cockpit design provides full flexibility in a variety of flight conditions, including night and adverse weather, while streamlining the pilot's workload. The CH-47SD uses fully qualified components so aviators can operate with greater precision than ever to meet growing mission demands in tomorrow's military and civil flight environments.

The new Chinook will carry a three-person crew and standard seating for 37 passengers in the main cabin, although up to 55 troop seats can be installed. A variety of additional "plug-in" option kits are available to configure the Super D for operations on water or in snow, or several specialized missions such as search and rescue, fire-fighting and special operations.

The Super D's propulsion system will feature AlliedSignal T55-L-714A engines with full authority digital engine controls. With 4,075 maximum continuous shaft horsepower (3,039 kW), these engines provide output more than eight percent greater than any CH-47D. The 714As engines provide the ability to fly at a 54,000-lb. maximum gross weight at higher density altitudes than the CH-47D.

The 714 Engine Program, separate programmatically from the CH-47F Improved Cargo Helicopter (ICH) program, is an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) to convert the present T-55-712 engines to a T-55-714 engine. This buys back performance on high/hot days lost over time by the addition of weight through modification work order enhancements. Specifically, it will provide an increased lift capability allowing the CH-47 to transport 16,000 pounds for an unrefueled combat radius of 50 nautical miles at 4,000 feet PA and 95 degrees F. The ICH Operational Requirements Document (ORD) requires the CH-47F(ICH) to carry 16,000lbs at 4000ft/95' for a 50nm combat radius (50nm with load, return empty). The CH-47D -714A engine program achieves this requirement. The -714A engine program converts current CH-47D -712 engines to -714A engines. The engine program converts the engines on all 431 CH-47D aircraft. The -714A engine began fielding in FY99 and, because of recent budget cuts, completes in FY09. 160th (Hunter), 101st, 18th AB Corps, Korea, and Germany are scheduled to be fielded through FY05. The -714A budget constantly fluctuates because of plus-ups and decrements. For this reason, the fielding dates may change.