CH-146 Griffon

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CH-146 Griffon
Type Multipurpose utility helicopter
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter Textron
Introduced 1995
Status Active service
Primary user Canadian Forces
Number built 100
Developed from Bell 412
Image:CH146Griffon02A.JPG
417 Squadron's first CH-146 Griffon, Canadian Forces Registration (CFR) 146414, arrived on July 6, 1995.
Image:CH146Arrival06Jul1995.JPG
The first CH-146 Griffon arrives at 417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake. It is parked on the flight line with the CH-118s it is to replace.

The Bell CH-146 Griffon is the Canadian military variant of the Bell 412EP, a multi-use utility helicopter. The CH-146 is used in a wide variety of roles, including aerial firepower, reconnaissance and aero-mobility tasks. In 2007, the CH-146 is also one of the four aircraft taught to medical personnel in the Canadian Aeromedical Evacuation school.

The Griffon is built at Mirabel, Quebec, at the Bell Canadian plant. They are delivered in one of two configurations, the Combat Support Squadron (CSS) version for search and rescue missions, and the Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter (UTTH), which carries a crew of three and an eight-man section.

The Griffon can be equipped with various specialized bolt-on mission kits, which can enhance the performance of the Griffon, from increasing range, improving protection against enemy fire, etc.[1]

The Canadian Forces purchased 100 airframes between 1995 to 1997; 85 are serving in the tactical-helicopter role at CFB Edmonton, CFB Petawawa, CFB Valcartier, and CFB Gagetown. The remainder of the aircraft are being used in search-and-rescue roles in Combat Support Squadrons at 4 Wing Cold Lake, 3 Wing Bagotville, and 5 Wing Goose Bay as well as reserve air force units including 400 Squadron at CFB Borden and 438 Squadron in St-Hubert, Quebec.[2]

One interesting feature of the Griffon is a small camera mounted in the nose of the aircraft pointed up at the rotor. By observing a small yellow paint stripe on the rotor, the autopilot can detect the classic "hoola-hoop" motion and correct it, smoothing the ride.

Minor disassembly permits transport of the Griffon by CC130 Hercules cargo aircraft for long-distance deployment.[3]

Contents

[edit] Specifications (CH-146)

General characteristics

  • Crew: Three (pilot, co-pilot & flight engineer)
  • Capacity: 12 troops or 6 stretchers
  • Length: 17.1 m (56 ft 1 in)
  • Rotor diameter: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)
  • Max takeoff weight: 5,355 kg (11,781 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3D turboshaft engine, 900 shp (671 kW) each

Performance

Armament

  • 7.62 mm C6 GPMG mounted in doors
  • Removable armour to protect crew and cabin area occupants from small arms fire and shrapnel

Avionics

  • WESCAM 16TD-A Thermal Imaging System (TIS) stabilized camera system
  • Crew equipped with Generation III Image Intensification (II) Night Vision

    • [edit] References

    1. ^ The Canadian Army - Equipment - Griffon Helicopter (CH-146).
    2. ^ Canada's Air Force - Aircraft - CH-146 Griffon - Technical Specifications.
    3. ^ The Canadian Army - Equipment - Griffon Helicopter (CH-146).

    [edit] External links

    [edit] Related content

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    Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
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    See also

    v • d • e
    Image:Flag of Canada.svg Canadian Forces Air Command Image:RCAF-Roundel.svg

    Fighter aircraft: CF-188 Hornet

    Patrol aircraft: CP-140 Aurora/CP-140A Arcturus

    Helicopters: CH-124 Sea King • CH-139 JetRanger • CH-146 Griffon • CH-149 Cormorant

    Cargo aircraft: CC-115 Buffalo • CC-130 Hercules • CC-138 Twin Otter • CC-144 Challenger • CC-150 Polaris • CC-177 Globemaster III

    Trainer aircraft: CT-114 Tutor • CT-142 Dash 8 • CT-155 Hawk • CT-156 Harvard II

    UAVs: CU-161 Sperwer

    Possible Future Aircraft: CH-47 Chinook • CH-148 Cyclone • C-130 Hercules • F-35 Lightning II • Alenia C-27J

    Wings: 1 Wing Kingston • 3 Wing Bagotville • 4 Wing Cold Lake • 5 Wing Goose Bay • 8 Wing Trenton • 9 Wing Gander • 12 Wing Shearwater • 14 Wing Greenwood • 15 Wing Moose Jaw • 16 Wing Borden • 17 Wing Winnipeg • 19 Wing Comox • 22 Wing North Bay

    v • d • e
    Lists relating to aviation
    GeneralTimeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
    MilitaryAir forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
    Notable incidents and accidentsMilitary aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths
    RecordsFlight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft


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