CH-146 Griffon

CH-146 Griffon
275px
US Guardsmen board a CH-146]]
Type	Multipurpose utility helicopter
Manufacturer	Bell Helicopter
Introduced	1995
Status	Active service
Primary user	Canadian Forces
Number built	100
Developed from	Bell 412

File:CH146Griffon02A.JPG

417 Squadron's first CH-146 Griffon, Canadian Forces Registration (CFR) 146414, arrived on July 6, 1995.

File: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.

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.

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.

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 CC-130 Hercules cargo aircraft for long-distance deployment.

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

• Maximum speed: 260 km/h (139 knots, 160 mph)
• Cruise speed: 220 km/h (118 knots, 136 mph)
• Range: 656 km (354 nm, 405 mi)

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

External links

• The Canadian Army - Equipment - Griffon Helicopter (CH-146)
• Canada's Air Force - Aircraft - CH-146 Griffon

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

UH-1

Related development

• Bell 412
• UH-1 Iroquois
• Bell 212

Designation sequence

• Bell:
  • 406 - 407 - 409 - 412 - 417 - 427 - 429
• Canadian Military:
  • C-130 - CH-146 - CH-147 - CH-148 - CH-149 - CC-150

Related lists

• List of civil aircraft
• List of active Canadian military aircraft

See also

Bell Aircraft/Bell Helicopters

Fighter aircraft: YFM-1 · P-39 · P-59 · P-63 · XP-77 · XP-83

Commercial Helicopters: 47 · 204 · 205 · 206 · 210 · 212 · 214 · 222 · 230 · 407 · 412 · 417 · 427 · 429 · 430

Military Helicopters: H-13 · UH-1 · 207 · 209 · AH-1 · 309 · YAH-63 · OH-58 · ARH-70

Tiltrotors: V-22 · BA609 · TR918 · QTR

Experimental aircraft: X-1 · X-2 · X-5 · X-20 X-22 · XV-3 · XV-15 · 533 ·