CURRENT ROTARY-WING NAVY
AIRCRAFT
Since World War II, the helicopter has become an
indispensable part of naval warfare. Its applications
seem limitless—ASW; pilot rescue; transfer of
supplies, mail, and personnel within dispersed forces;
amphibious warfare; evacuation of wounded;
counterinsurgency; minesweeping; and others. Figure
8-54 shows representative types of rotary-wing aircraft.
CH-46 Sea Knight
The Sea Knight (fig. 8-55) is a twin-turbine
transport helicopter that provides the fleet with a
day/night underway replenishment capability. It is used
primarily for supply missions at sea and for casualty
evacuation. Its carrying capacity is 25 troops, 15 litters
and attendants, or 4,000 pounds of cargo. Rotor blades
fold for shipboard use. The CH-46 is a small version of
the Army’s Chinook.
8-40
Student Notes:
Figure 8-54.—Representative types of rotary-wing aircraft.
Photograph courtesy of PHAN Mahaya Jordan
Figure 8-55.—CH-45 Sea Knight transports ordnance from
flight deck of the USS Independence (CV 62).
