CH-47F CHINOOK

The CH-47F Chinook is the US Army's primary heavy-lift helicopter and the only Western helicopter capable of carrying an M777 howitzer as an underslung load. Its tandem rotor design generates lift from both rotors, giving the Chinook significantly greater payload capacity than single-rotor aircraft of similar weight. In Afghanistan, Chinooks were essential for supplying mountain outposts inaccessible by road — often operating at altitudes above 4,000 meters where the air is too thin for conventional helicopters. Block II upgrades added composite rotor blades increasing payload capacity by over 900 kg. The MH-47G special operations variant, operated by the 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers), carries enhanced navigation, communications, and self-protection systems for deep-penetration missions.