The CH-46D Sea Knight helicopter is a medium lift assault helicopter, used by the United States Navy for shipboard delivery of cargo and personnel. The CH-46E is used by the United States Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Troop assault is its primary function, and the movement of supplies and equipment is secondary. Additional tasks may be assigned, such as combat support, search and rescue, support for forward refueling and rearming points, aeromedic evacuation of casualties from the field, and recovery of aircraft and personnel.


October 20th 2002: members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit board a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter on USS Saipan, during beach-landing training.

The CH-46 Sea Knight was first procured in 1964 to meet the medium-lift requirements of the United States Marine Corps in all combat and peacetime environments since that time. The Sea Knight fleet is currently being maintained until a suitable replacement is approved.

General characteristics