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2023-09-05

Transport Helicopter: The Rotorcraft Workhorse of Air Force

Military Helicopters: Part 3

Military helicopters are classified into several types based on their roles and capabilities. In the previous two issues, we had talked about helicopter types and Attack Helicopters. In this issue, we cover Transport Helicopters, which play a vital role in military operations by quickly transporting troops and supplies to and from the battlefield.

Much-needed Mobility

Military transport helicopters are rotorcraft that are specifically designed to carry troops, equipment, and supplies in military operations. They are essential for rapidly moving personnel and cargo to and from the battlefield, remote locations, or between military installations.

Transport helicopters possess a greater cargo capacity than other helicopter variants, enabling them to transport substantial troops or large equipment. They feature spacious cabins capable of housing soldiers, special forces, or medical teams, alongside their equipment. The helicopter interiors can be customised with seating layouts, stretcher racks, or cargo hooks, catering to diverse transport needs.

A notable benefit of transport helicopters is their capacity to reach remote or otherwise hard-to-reach regions.

They can perform vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) or operate from unprepared landing zones, such as rough terrains or confined spaces. This flexibility enables them to transport troops and supplies directly to the front lines, forward operating bases or disaster-stricken areas where traditional fixed-wing aircraft or ground vehicles may face limitations.

Transport helicopters can conduct a wide range of missions beyond troop transportation. They can support humanitarian aid operations, conduct casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) or medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions, deliver essential supplies or equipment, and perform logistics support tasks.

Regarding capabilities, transport helicopters place a premium on reliability, endurance, and resilience. Designed to endure harsh weather and function in challenging settings, they might incorporate supplementary defensive systems like ballistic protection or flare dispensers. These additions bolster the safety of crews and passengers during missions conducted in hostile territories.

Manned by expert aircrews in air mobility and logistics, these helicopters collaborate with ground units and logistics teams.

They are engineered to perform across a spectrum of settings, from challenging terrains to urban landscapes and open waters, allowing these helicopters to exemplify versatility.

Here are some notable examples of military transport helicopters:

Boeing CH-47 Chinook

The CH-47 Chinook is one of the most well-known military transport helicopters.

Conceived as a successor to the retired Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave in the Army’s fleet during the late 1960s, the CH-47 aimed to take its place. Boeing’s acquisition of Vertol Aircraft Corporation in 1960 marked a pivotal step in the helicopter’s development. Initially labelled the Vertol Model 107 or V-107, this newly designed aircraft was poised for a new era.

Development work on the CH-47 began in 1958 and the Chinook took its first flight in 1961. The “CH” stands for “Cargo Helicopter.” That flight — and every other one since — has been powered by a pair of Honeywell T55 engines.

Designed to carry about 36 passengers, one Chinook is reported to have carried 147 refugees in a single lift in the waning days of the Vietnam War. The CH-47 was one of the first two helicopters powered by a turbine engine. The other was the UH-1 Huey.

In August 1962, the initial fully-equipped Army Chinook, known as the CH-47A, commenced operational service, boasting a gross weight of 33,000 pounds. Serving as the singular heavy-lift cargo helicopter for the U.S. Army, the Chinook actively aids combat and other critical missions. Often referred to as the “workhorse” of the U.S. Army’s helicopter fleet, the CH-47 holds a pivotal role.

The Chinook incorporates various cargo-loading methods, such as multiple doors spanning the fuselage, a spacious loading ramp at its rear, and three external hooks for underslung loads. Its capacity to manage substantial underslung loads has proven invaluable in instances of natural disasters and humanitarian relief operations. Notably, the CH-47 can lift close to 48,000 pounds at 4,000 feet and 95 degrees F.

The helicopter is capable of balancing on its two rear wheels, on the edge of a cliff for example, while still hovering in a manoeuvre called a pinnacle landing. Empty, the CH-47F Chinook weighs 26,800 pounds. The MH-47 is a special-operations version of the Chinook.

It is considered one of the world’s fastest military helicopter’s with a maximum speed of 315 km/hr (196 mph). The latest version of the T55 engine — Honeywell’s next-generation T55-714C — generates 6,000 shaft-horsepower at sea level compared to just 2,050 for the original T55.

Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a versatile military helicopter used by armed forces worldwide.

In the U.S. Army, the UH-60M variant takes centre stage as a pivotal medium lift helicopter. It excels in various critical roles, including MEDEVAC, CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue), Command and Control, and VIP transport.

UH-60 Black Hawk was developed by Sikorsky as a successor to the UH-1 Huey. Over the years, various variants and versions of the Black Hawk have been developed to meet specific mission requirements, including the MH-60 for special operations.

The multirole helicopter serves with the U.S. military and the armed forces of 34 other countries worldwide as a tough, reliable utility helicopter for combat search and rescue.

At 9,979 kg / 22,000 lbs. max. gross weight, the utility version of the Black Hawk helicopter transports 12 fully equipped, seated troops into the heat of battle. Sikorsky can further customise to specific requirements.

It can carry 4,080 kg/9,000 lbs. of supplies as an internal or external load. It can sling load firefighting Bambi bucket or light vehicles from the cargo hook, then release to the ground from a hover.

The Black Hawk can carry 11 fully equipped combat troops or various cargoes. Its range varies by mission, covering hundreds of miles on one tank of fuel. Agile and adaptable, it operates in diverse environments from cities to mountains.

More than 4,000 Black Hawk aircraft of all types are in service worldwide today.

NHIndustries NH90 TTH

The NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) is a military aircraft optimised for various battlefield missions. It’s designed to be highly manoeuvrable and survivable, accommodating roles like tactical transport, special operations, Search and Rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (with 12 stretchers), counterterrorism, Command and Control (C2), parachuting, VVIP transport, and disaster relief.

With capacity for 20 troops or over 2,500 kg of cargo, it meets a wide range of demands.

It can quickly be adapted to MEDEVAC/CASEVAC missions by fitting up to 12 stretchers or cargo delivery capability.

The helicopter features a modern glass cockpit with advanced avionics, including fly-by-wire technology for enhanced handling and manoeuvrability. Its modular design allows for a high degree of mission customisation, enabling various mission-specific equipment and configurations. It is equipped with ballistic protection and other survivability enhancements.

Safety and survivability are built in to the NH90. The Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) version has low acoustic, radar, and infrared signatures and is equipped with a night vision system Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), Night Vision Goggles (NVG) and helmet-mounted sight and display.

Mi-26T2 Heavy Transport Helicopter

The Mi-26T2 heavy-lift helicopter excels in transporting self-propelled and non-self-propelled machinery, including bulky loads up to 20 tonnes. It handles both internal cabin and external sling transport. It serves for paratrooper deployment and medical evacuation. The “T2” signifies the second modernised version of the Mi-26.

The helicopter can be applied in a transport, assault, medical, fire fighting and refuelling tanker versions. Mi-26T2 provides delivery of servicemen, cargoes and fuel to hard-to-reach areas with a capability of landing on unprepared helicopter pads.

The Mi-26T2 holds the distinction of being the world’s largest serially produced helicopters, boasting a 20-tonne lifting capacity akin to the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft. In a single operation, the Mi-26T2 can carry 82 troops along with their gear, efficiently move heavy combat vehicles using the external cargo sling, and accomplish significant transport tasks with a limited number of helicopters.

The helicopters excel in multifaceted missions within a single flight, including transport, assault, search-and-rescue, and special tasks. Their combat experience in demanding environments like Afghanistan underscores their flight safety standards and adaptability.

Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is an advanced heavy-lift helicopter created for the U.S. Marine Corps to replace the CH-53E Super Stallion. With improved avionics, rotor systems, and performance, it excels in carrying heavier loads across longer distances and in tougher conditions.

With a 36,000 lb payload capacity, it can carry everything from a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) to a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) to humanitarian assistance to disaster relief supplies.

It can travel distances and in environmental extremes with triple the cargo of the legacy aircraft it replaces and double its nearest competitor.

With its external lift capabilities, and a wider cabin (30 cm/12 in), the CH-53K is the ideal choice for transporting more cargo or troops with fewer trips. The larger cabin is able to carry 463L pallets and High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) which offers flexible configurations for maximum mission effectiveness, and facilitates loading/unloading of cargo without reconfiguring and removing troop seating.

In December 2022, the U.S. Navy approved Full Rate Production for the CH-53K programme, aiming for over 20 helicopters annually. Twelve aircraft are currently in production for Israel.

Airbus H225M Caracal

The H225M helicopter is extensively employed by multiple countries for troop transport, search and rescue, and special operations. Its remarkable payload capacity and extended operational range enhance its utility. With its convenient cabin access, high load capacity, fast cruise speed, extended range, and agility in-flight, the H225M stands out as an optimal tactical transport choice for troops and cargo.

The 11-tonne-category, twin-turbine H225M is already relied upon as a force multiplier by many air forces worldwide thanks to its outstanding endurance and fast cruise speed.

The crucial factor is also that the H225M enables military forces to deploy wherever and whenever needed.

This helicopter operates in diverse conditions, from ships to land, even in icing, and features all-weather capability with night vision compatibility. Its 700 NM range can be extended via air-to-air or hover in-flight refuelling.

It has proven its reliability and durability in combat conditions and crisis areas that include Lebanon, Afghanistan, Chad, the Ivory Coast, the Central African Republic, Somalia, and Mali, while also supporting NATO-led operations in Libya. The H225M is relied upon as a force multiplier by France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Singapore and Thailand.

Changhe Z-18

The Z-18 is a modern Chinese military transport helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG). It evolved from the Avicopter AC313, which in turn is based on the Z-8 naval helicopter.

With its public unveiling in 2014, the Z-18, nicknamed the “White Heron,” is already operational in the Chinese military and is gradually replacing the older Z-8 helicopters.

It is based on the Harbin Z-8 design, but has a redesigned fuselage and more powerful engines. As a result the new Z-18 has more internal space, can carry more payload and has overall better performance at higher altitude and temperature.

This helicopter can transport up to 4,000 kg internally or 5,000 kg externally. It accommodates about 27 passengers. Alternatively it can carry about 14 stretchers, plus medical attendants.

In the transport role the Z-18 is operated by a crew of two.

Leonardo AW149

The AW149 helicopter is optimised for various battlefield missions, including troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, special forces operations, close air support, C2 and ISR.

The spacious cabin and large sliding doors on both sides enable the rapid transport of heavily laden troops and mission equipment in support of high-tempo operations.

The large sliding doors support fast roping and hoist operations, enabling troop insertion and extraction on the hover while allowing simultaneous cover fire from window-mounted machine guns. A large equipment stowage area for stretchers and medical kit can be accessed optionally from the cabin.

The AW149 has been certified by the Italian Directorate of Air Armaments (ARMAEREO). It has already been selected in the export market where it is in service.

It is designed to carry a host of weapons and stores on external carriers and on the window gun mount. The helicopter is able to provide unparalleled crew safety. It features crashworthy fuselage and seats, heavy duty landing gear, self-sealing fuel tanks, fully integrated DAS along with additional armour protection, a unique 50 minutes ‘run dry’ capable MGB and advanced avionics and sensors allowing outstanding situational awareness.

Essential Assets

In conclusion, military transport helicopters stand as versatile assets, aptly handling diverse missions from transporting personnel and cargo to conducting medical evacuations, providing humanitarian aid, supporting disaster relief, and executing special operations.

With advanced avionics, communication systems, defensive capabilities, and even offensive weaponry, these helicopters are well-equipped to accomplish their missions effectively and safely

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for military transport helicopters will only grow.

Reference Text/Photo:

www.af.mil, www.airbus.com,

www.lockheedmartin.com, www.boeing.com,

www.roe.ru/ www.leonardo.com

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