The Boeing Chinook is one of the few aircraft to be in continuous production for 50 years. Five distinct generations of the heavy lift helicopter have been produced, each adding to its performance and load-carrying capabilities. Chinooks have served with over 20 military operators and have played a significant (if largely unrecorded) role in many of the world's conflicts since they first fought in the Vietnam War, including the Falklands, all three Gulf Wars, the break-up of Yugoslavia, and today are flying combat support missions in Afghanistan. The Chinook was designed in 1958 as the Vertol 114 in response to a US Army requirement for a new medium lift helicopter. It used the same basic layout as the Vertol 107, which was evaluated by the service as the YHC-1A and entered service with the US Marine Corps as the CH-46 Sea Knight. The Vertol 114 was powered by Avco Lycoming T55 turboshaft engines mounted above the cabin to keep the interior free for troops or cargo loaded via a rear ramp.
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