CH-46 Sea Knight
October 20, 2002: members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit board a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter on USS Saipan, during beach-landing training.
Description
Role	Medium assault helicopter
Crew	3 (2 pilots, crewman) + 25 troops
Dimensions
Length	84 ft 4 in (overall) 45 ft 8 in (fuselage)	25.72 m 13.92 m
Width (Fuselage)	7 ft 3 in	2.2 m
Height	16 ft 8.5 in	5.1 m
Rotor diameter	51 ft (each)	15.54 m (each)
Weights
Empty	15,537 lb	7,047 kg
Loaded	17,396 lb (with armor, guns and ammo)	7,891 kg
Maximum take-off	24,300 lb	11,022 kg
Powerplant
Engines	2 General Electric T58-GE-16 turboshaft
Power	1,870 shp each	1.4 MW
Performance
Maximum speed	165 mph	265 km/h
Combat range	184 mi	296 km
Ferry range	420 mi	676 km
Service ceiling	14,000 ft	4,267 m
Rate of climb	2,045 ft/min	623 m/min
Armament
Guns	2 .50-caliber machine guns (optional)
Bombs	None

The CH-46D Sea Knight helicopter is a medium lift assault helicopter, used by the United States Navy for shipboard delivery of cargo and personnel. The CH-46E is used by the United States Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Troop assault is its primary function, and the movement of supplies and equipment is secondary. Additional tasks may be assigned, such as combat support, search and rescue, support for forward refueling and rearming points, aeromedic evacuation of casualties from the field, and recovery of aircraft and personnel.

The CH-46 Sea Knight was first procured in 1964 to meet the medium-lift requirements of the United States Marine Corps in all combat and peacetime environments since that time. The Sea Knight fleet is currently being maintained until a suitable replacement is approved.

On September 24, 2004 the USN retired the type, seeing it replaced by the MH-60 Night Hawk . The USMC will continue to fly CH-46s for a number more years.

General characteristics

• Contractor: Boeing Vertol Company
• Introduction date: January 1978

April 1, 2004: Sailors from USS Saipan (LHA-2) rush out to unchain a CH-46 Sea Knight.