Out of This World

Video by Amy Tolson

Army Chinook takes flight with T408 engine

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center

Sept. 22, 2020 | 3:29

A Chinook with GE Aviation’s T408 engines takes flight at Fort Eustis, Va. Sept. 22, a U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center milestone that could expand the capabilities of future Chinook heavy-lift missions.

This first flight is the culmination of a five-year effort under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between CCDC AvMC, Boeing and GE Aviation to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of higher-power engines while assessing and reducing the technical risks of integrating advanced engines in a Chinook aircraft.

This flight demonstration, which consisted of hover and pedal turn testing to assess multiple critical aircraft parameters supported by live telemetry, is part of a research project to show how the integration of more powerful engines on the CH-47 Chinook helicopter supports future cargo helicopter capability needs. It also supports the Army Future Vertical Lift modernization priority.