The development history of CH-54 helicopter

CH-54 is a twin-engine single-propeller lifting helicopter developed by the American Sikorsky Company. The company number is S-64, nicknamed "Aerial Crane". The US military number is CH-54, nicknamed "Tower". He". The S-64 was developed on the basis of the S-60 and adopted the S-56 rotor. Production of the S-64 prototype using a turboshaft engine began before the crash of the former S-60 prototype in April 1961. Although the U.S. military did not support the plan as much as it hoped, the West German government decided to were evaluated and two of the first three prototypes built were purchased.

The S-64 made its first flight on May 9, 1962. The Germans did not place an order after evaluation, but the U.S. Army expressed interest in the S-64 and ordered it in July 1963. Six S-64As were used for evaluation and were designated "YCH-54A" and named "Tarhe". Although they were similar to the prototypes, they were equipped with 4,500 shaft horsepower turboshaft engines.

The evaluation went very smoothly, and production of the CH-54A officially began in 1964. As of June 1974, in addition to civilian use, Japan had produced 96 aircraft for the US Army.

But the CH-54 is too expensive, at least 7 times that of the UH-1. In addition, Sikorsky's modular pod concept did more harm than good in military operations on the battlefield, and the Army wanted a helicopter that could be used as both a crane and a transport rather than letting transport operations adapt. Some kind of special module.

As a result, the CH-54 began to be retired from the military in the 1970s. By the 1980s, all CH-54s were withdrawn from active service and entered the civilian commercial field.