Loading...
Currently top 10 military transport helicopters in the world are these:
The Mil Mi-26 is the world’s largest production helicopter. It is known in the West as the Halo. Currently this heavy-lift machine is in service with nearly 20 countries, including Russia and India.
Its development began in the early 1970s. Designers had a goal to produce a helicopter with a load capacity twice that of any contemporary machine. It became operational in 1983.
The Mi-26 has the load-carrying capability of a C-130 transport plane. Its cargo area, with the rear ramp closed, is 12 m long, and 3.2 m wide, with a minimum ceiling height of 2.9 m.
The interior can be configured to seat 80 combat-equipped troops or 60 stretchers. However there were cases when it flew with 150 troops. Alternatively this cargo helicopter can carry two combat vehicles weighting 10 000 kg each. The Mi-26 can also carry various loads externally.
Latest model, the Mi-26M can lift even more. It has a payload capacity of 25 000 kg.
The CH-53E heavylift transport helicopter has been developed by Sikorsky. It has been adopted by US Marine Corps in 1981. Since then the Super Stallion was the largest and most powerful helicopter outside Russia. Currently the Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter used by the US military. A total of 227 machines were built for the US Marine Corps and US Navy.
The US Marines are using these helicopters to deliver troops, vehicles and supplies from ships to shore. The US Navy use a small number of these helicopters for shipboard resupply. Also the US Navy uses a dedicated minesweeping version.
This helicopter can carry 37 troops. With centerline seats installed the Super Stallion can carry 55 soldiers. Alternatively it can carry cargo with a maximum weight of 13.6 t internally or 14.5 t externally. It is capable of lifting LAV-25 armored vehicle or M198 155 mm field howitzer with crew and ammunition. It can recover aircraft up to its own size.
Recently a new CH-53K King Stallion helicopter was developed to meet requirements of the US Marine Corps. It has similar airframe, but notably improved performance. The CH-53K should reach initial operating capability in 2018.
The ubiquitous CH-47 Chinook was developed to meet a US Army requirement. It first flew back in 1961.This utility helicopter became operational in 1962. Since then over 1 160 have been built, including models license-produced in Italy and Japan. It has been exported all over the world. Upgraded Chinooks are planned to remain operational with the US Army beyond 2060, or over 100 years after it first entered service.
The Chinook helicopter performs various transport missions. It transports troops, war supplies and battlefield equipment. This helicopter is also deployed in medical evacuation, search and rescue, aircraft recovery, parachute drop and other operations.
It accomodates up to 44 passengers. It can lift 10 300 kg of cargo internally and 11 300 kg externally. It has two external cargo hooks and can carry various loads, such as light vehicles or artillery pieces externally.
The CH-47F is a recent version. It can carry up to 55 passengers or up to 12 700 kg of cargo. Existing CH-47D helicopters can be upgraded to this standard, or these can be newly produced. By 2014 US Army and National Guard obtained 300 of these helicopters. The CH-47F has been exported to some countries.
The V-22 Osprey is not exactly a helicopter. It is a first operational tiltrotor. The Osprey combines vertical lift capabilities of a helicopter with a flight speed of a fixed-wing turboprop aircraft. It is used by US Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. Deliveries commenced in 2001.
Currently the Osprey is one of the largest VTOL aircraft. It accommodates 24 troops. This tiltrotor transport can carry 9 000 kg internally or 6 800 kg externally.
Loading...
Post a Comment