Boeing Rotorcraft Systems
Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight
The Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight is a twin‑engine, tandem‑rotor transport helicopter that entered service with the United States Marine Corps in 1964. Developed by Boeing Vertol—later known as Boeing Rotorcraft Systems—the aircraft evolved from the earlier CH-47 Chinook and featured a shorter fuselage, a 23‑foot rotor diameter on each rotor, and a distinctive “V”‑shaped tail boom. Powered by two General Electric T58 turboshaft engines delivering up to 1,400 shaft horsepower each, the Sea Knight could lift 8,000 pounds externally, transport up to 25 troops, or carry cargo pallets in its cavernous cargo bay. Its robust landing gear and folding rotors made it well suited for shipboard operations, and it saw extensive use during the Vietnam War, where it earned a reputation for reliability under fire. Over 1,300 units were built, and the type remained in active duty with the Marines until 2015, later serving with civilian operators in firefighting and offshore transport. The CH‑46’s long service life demonstrated the versatility of tandem‑rotor designs, influencing subsequent rotorcraft development and cementing its legacy as a workhorse of modern military aviation. Today it is celebrated in museums worldwide as an example of mid‑century engineering excellence.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 13.66 metre
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1958
- Service Entry
- 1964
Design & Classification
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Boeing Rotorcraft Systems
- Nickname
- Sea Knight
- Military Designation
- CH-46, CH-113, HRB, H-46
- Engine
- T58
- Wikidata ID
- Q282934