MAXIMUM CARGO CAPABILITIES OF TRANSPORT VEHICLES. PART 5 - COMBAT ZONE TRANSPORTATION - HELICOPTERS

This report gives the cargo-carrying capabilities of helicopters available for use during the period 1956-1960, and forecasts the capabilities of those which will likely be available in the 1960-1970 period. Period 1956-1960 - The H-37A provides maximum cargo capabilities, with a payload of 6,000 lbs for a 100 mile radius. However, the H-37A production is just starting, and it will not be generally available until about 1959. The H-21C is now in general use and in quantity production. Using this as a standard, packages designed for helicopter transport over a 100 mile radius should be limited to 2 tons. Period 1960-1970 - The YH-16B and the XHCH-1 can be considered standards for the capabilities of cargo helicopters during this period. This means that for short hauls i.e., 20 mile radius a load of 22,000 lbs could be transported. For a 100 mile radius 16,700 lbs could be transported with a hovering ceiling of 5,600 feet.