Are Chinooks armed?

The CH-47s in Vietnam were generally armed with a single 7.62 mm M60 machine gun on a pintle mount on either side of the aircraft for self-defense, with stops fitted to keep the gunners from firing into the rotor blades. Dust filters were also added to improve engine reliability.

Do Chinooks have door gunners?

The door gunner on a Chinook helicopter is the airframe’s only line of defense. Up to three M240 or M134 machine guns may be mounted on a Chinook at once – two on either side of the helicopter aft of the cockpit and one on the ramp in the rear of the aircraft.

Does the US still use the Chinook?

The US Army Special Operations Aviation Command awarded a $139.8m contract to Boeing in July 2018 for four MH-47G Block II Chinook helicopters with Chinook Block II upgrades for enhanced performance. The deliveries are scheduled for 2020. 69 MH-47G Chinook helicopters are in service with the US Army.

Can Chinook helicopters float?

The Boeing made CH-47 Chinook can float on the water for a minimum of 30 minutes, even with the engines turned off.

What was the life expectancy of a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam?

between 13 and 30 days
Vlach served with the 54th General Command as a door gunner on an UH1 “Huey” helicopter. “They were short of gunners on helicopters, because the life expectancy was somewhere between 13 and 30 days,” he said.

Can a Chinook withstand an RPG?

Fortunately, the RPG hit squarely on the heavily armored ramp of the Chinook, causing minimal damage to the chopper and only minor injuries to the crew.

What do Chinooks carry?

About the Chinook With its triple-hook external load system, internal cargo winch, roller conveyor fit and large reserves of power, the aircraft can lift a wide variety of complex underslung or internal freight, including vehicles. It can carry up to 55 troops or up to approximately 10 tonnes of mixed cargo.