Specifications

Mission Standard Equipment

The following systems and equipment are always on board the aircraft during tactical missions:

• AN/AAQ-16 Forward Looking Infra Red. The AN/AAQ-16 (3 FOV) is a second generation, long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) imaging system for airborne navigation, surveillance, and targeting applications. With three fields of view available, pilots can fly and navigate on low-level missions or detect and identify long-range targets from higher altitudes. The AN/AAQ-16 consists of one turreted FLIR sensor mounted under the nose of the aircraft and one interface module which allows the display of the FLIR sensor on any of the Multi Function Displays in the cockpit.

• Suite of Infra Red Countermeasures. SIIRCM is the Army's next generation lamp/laser jammer, coupled with the new missile warner (CMWS), an advanced flare dispenser, and an advanced flare munition. This system replaces the old ALQ-144, M-206, and ALQ-156 families of jammers, flares, and missile warners. The CMWS design is modular to allow multiple configurations on a wide range of aircraft and other vehicles. The lead US military services’ host platforms are: the MH-60K (Army), the AV-8BN (Navy), and the F-16 Block 40 - Close Air Support (Air Force) aircraft.

  SIIRCM includes: a new development set of IR flare decoys the Advanced Infrared Countermeasures Munitions (AIRCMM), and passive IR features. These features include host platform modifications such as engine exhaust/heat suppression, and special coatings, intended to reduce the platform IR signature. The CMWS consists of six (6) electro-optical sensors and an internally mounted Electronics Control Unit (ECU), which detects incoming missiles, provides warning to the crew, and dispenses countermeasures. CMWS is a totally passive detection system, requiring only the electro-optic (EO) signature of the missile plume. The ECU determines the threat status of detection’s using flight parameter data received from the aircraft Central Computer (CC). The ECU provides missile threat declaration, Direction-Of-Arrival (DOA) and elevation information to the CC which generates the crewstation display and warning tone. The CMWS allows for automatic or manual AN/ALE-45 Countermeasures Dispenser (CMD) operation.

  The SIIRCM/CMWS contributes to full-dimensional protection by improving individual aircraft (or ground vehicle) probability of survival against an increasing worldwide proliferation of advanced infrared (IR) guided missiles. CMWS is a software reprogrammable system intended to provide automatic passive missile detection, threat declaration, positive warning of a post launch missile which is homing on the host platform, countermeasures effectiveness assessment, false alarm suppression, and cues to other onboard systems such as expendable countermeasures dispensers.

• AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System. The AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System is the detection component of a suite of countermeasures being developed Jointly to increase survivability of current generation combat, airlift and special operations aircraft against the threat posed by infrared guided missiles. The Electronic Control Unit controls other modules, provides countermeasures selection and initiation, controls built-in-test (BIT), and provides the platform interface. The Electro-Optic Missile Sensors passively detect the presence of energy within a specific band of interest, and transmit information to the ECU.

• AN/ALE-45 Countermeasures Dispenser System. The AN/ALE-45 Countermeasure Dispenser System is an integrated, reprogrammable, computer controlled system to dispense expendables/decoys, designed to employ electronic and infrared countermeasures according to a program developed and implemented by the aircrew. The AN/ALE-45 provides the aircrew with a "smart" countermeasures dispensing system, allowing the aircrew to optimize the countermeasures employed against anti-aircraft threats.

• AN/ALQ-136(v)2 Pulse Radar Jammer. The AN/ALQ-136 CMS is an airborne, automatic, electronic radar jammer designed to defeat/degrade the tracking capability of hostile threat pulse radar. When threat signals are identified and verified, jamming automatically begins and continues until the threat radar signal is no longer detected. The CMS then ceases jamming but continues to receive and analyze radar signals. The AN/ALQ-136(v)2 CMS is programmed to respond to the pulse radar signals of the most critical threat weapon systems anticipated to be encountered in the hostile environment. The AN/ALQ-136(v)2 CMS is designed for the Special Electronics Mission Aircraft (SEMA) and the Special Operations Aircraft (SOA) -- RC-12, MH-47E, MH-60K, EH-60A. This CMS is programmed to respond to the pulse radar signals of the most critical threat weapon system anticipated to be encountered by SEMA and SOA in a hostile environment. It can operate against multiple threat weapons systems simultaneously. It has programmable modules, covers a broader frequency range than the (V)1 CMS and has built-in preplanned product improvement capabilities. The AN/ALQ-136(V)2 CMS consists of one receiver/transmitter (RT) assembly, one control indicator assembly and four antennas.

• AN/ALQ-162(v)4 Continuous Wave Radar Jammer. The AN/ALQ-162(v)4 CMS provides automatic radar jamming against surface-to-air and airborne intercept missiles that use continuous wave (CW) radar for guidance. When the CW signals detected by the CMS are validated, jamming is initiated. The specific action taken by the MS is determined by the jamming thresholds programmed into the CMS. The AN/ALQ-162(v)4 is designed to intercept and process Continuous Wave (CW) signals, and upgrades under evaluation include responses to pulse doppler radars. Jamming signals are produced in various formats to counter threat signals. The system is operated via a control panel located in the aircraft cockpit and can be used for stand-alone operation or in conjunction with a RWR which supplies threat identification signals. The AN/ALQ-162(V)4 CMS consists of one receiver/transmitter and one antenna.

• AN/APQ-174 Multi Mode Radar. The AN/APQ-174 Multi-Mode Radar (MMR) family provides terrain following and terrain avoidance for a wide variety of military aircraft. The MMR allows safe flight down to a 100-ft set clearance at night, in adverse weather, and in high-threat environments. It lowers the probability of detection by enemy forces and increases mission success through terrain masking and minimizing time spent in threat range. It reduces risk to the aircrew and the aircraft by balancing the low-level terrain clearance altitude with flight safety considerations. The AN/APQ-174 consists of one external pod mounted radar reciever/transmitter, and a control unit allowing the display of radar readouts on any of the Multi Function Displays in the cockpit.

• AN/APR-39A(v)1 Radar Warning Reciever. The AN/APR-39 Digital Threat Warning System monitors the environment for pulsed radar signals, characterize and identify them, and alert the crew to the existence of emitters. The AN/APR-39A(v)1 contributes to full-dimensional protection by improving individual aircraft probability of survival through improved aircrew situational awareness of the electromagnetic threat environment. The AN/APR-39A(v)1 system utilizes a digital processor, alphanumeric display and a synthetic voice to provide warning of radar directed air defense threat systems. The AN/APR-39A(v)1 consists of one control unit, one indicator, one processor, two identical receivers, two left spiral antennas, two right spiral antennas and one blade antenna.

• AN/ARS-6(v)1 Personnel Locator System.The AN/ARS-6(V) provides selected Army aircraft with the capability to perform the combat search and rescue mission for rescue of downed aircrew members without detection. It provides the rescue aircraft's pilot/co-pilot with the relative position (direction and range) of the grounded survivor equipped with an AN/PRC-112. The AN/ARS-6(V) radio can be used to navigate the rescue aircraft and to locate or retrieve Army personnel involved in special operations and other combat or peacetime situations. It also provides the capability to home to any continuous wave signal in its frequency range.

• M-130 General Purpose Dispenser. The M130 general purpose dispenser system provides effective survival countermeasures against radar guided weapon systems and/or infrared seeking missile threats. A single M130 can disperse either 30 decoy flares or 30 chaff cartridges. Additional dispenser assemblies and payload modules will increase the capability of the dispenser system. The system can be operated manually or automatically cued by the AN/AAR-47 missile detector. The chaff, combined with maneuvers, provides protection against radar directed anti-aircraft weapon systems. When dispensing chaff, the M-130 allows the aircraft time to maneuver out of the beam of radar used with anti-aircraft weapons. The flare decoy, when properly dispensed, provides protection against infrared (IR) homing missiles. When dispensing flare decoys, the M-130 and AN/AAR-47 combination provides for the reduction or elimination of the enemy's ability to hit and destroy the MH-47E by the use of IR homing missiles. The M-130 General Purpose Dispenser is electrically powered and constructed of modules to facilitate quick replacement. The M-130 Dispenser consists of a dispenser assembly, payload module assembly, electronics module and dispenser control panel.

• Rescue Winch.
  

• SATCOM. The Ultra High Frequency Satellite Communications (UHF SATCOM) System provides communication links, via satellite, between designated mobile units and shore sites worldwide. The UHF SATCOM system is one of three SATCOM systems installed and operates in the UHF range. The SATCOM systems, combined, represent a composite of information exchange systems that use the satellites as relays for communications and control as well as quality monitoring subsystems that provide data to manage satellite resources. The UHF SATCOM system provides multichannel satellite transmission and reception and is comprised of two distinct, but related, subsystems: UHF SATCOM receiving set and UHF SATCOM transceivers.

Mission Flexible Equipment

 The following systems and equipment are optional, and can be installed or removed to suit the mission:

• ERFS - Extended Range Fuel System. Comprising of up to 3x 800-Gallon crashworty fuel tanks, the ERFS can double the fuel capacity and range of the MH-47E. However, the internal fuel tanks take up large amounts of space in the cargo compartment of the MH-47E, reducing the number of troops, amount of equipment or whether or not the MH-47E can carry a vehicle. The most common configuration for ERFS in the MH-47E is to have 1x 800-Gallon tank mounted in the forward area of the cargo compartment. This provides a ballence of greater range and troop carrying capacity. With 1x ERFS tank installed the MH-47E is able to carry approximately 36 troops.

• FRIES - Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction System. Whilst the twin FRIES bars are permanently attached to the roof in the upper section of the rear loading ramp, the ropes are optional. As well as the 44mm diameter "Fast Rope" regular climbing rope can be attached to the FRIES bar to allow operators to abseil or rappel from the rear cargo ramp. Attachment points for abseil or rappel rope are also provided over the front access door.

Aircraft Armament

The MH-47E has various options for offensive armament providing the aircraft with greater survivability in hostile environments.

• M134 7.62mm Minigun. The MH-47E is fitted with 2x M134 "miniguns" pintle mounted in the forward access door and the forward observation hatch. The M134 was designed to provide a light weight high rate of fire armament package for use on helicopters and light fixed-wing aircraft. The M134 is a crew served, electrically driven, 6 barreled, rotary action, percussion fired weapon, with a maximum rate of fire of 6000 rounds per minute. In the current crew served application the rate of fire is selectable at either 2000 or 4000 rounds per minute. The components that make up the M134 gun system consist of a gun control assembly with electrical cables, gun drive motor, a MAU-201/A or a MAU-56 delinking feeder, flexible ammunition feed chutes and an ammunition storage system. The basic ammunition storage system has a capacity of 4000 rounds of linked 7.62mm percussion primed ammunition, the MH-47E is capable of carrying 2 ammunition storage systems per M134, giving the aircraft a total of 16,000 rounds of ready ammunition for its M134's.

• M240B/D 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun. The MH-47 can be optionally fitted with 2x M240B/D GPMG's in the rear observation windows. A fabricated pintle mount can be fixed below each observation window, providig the crew chief at the rear and an assisting gunner with a stable mount from which to fire the M240B/D. The M240B/D 7.62mm machine gun is a left hand feed, gas operated, air cooled, fixed head space weapon with a maximum rate of fire of 950 rounds per minute. In the crew served application on the MH-47E the rate of fire is set at 650 rounds per minute.

• M2 12.7mm (.50 cal) Heavy Machine Gun. The MH-47 can be optionally fitted with a single M2 (actually a GAU-18A) mounted on a pintle on the tail ramp. The GAU-18A was designed to provide a light weight large-calibre armament package for use on helicopters. Initially designed for USAF Special Operations Helicopters and for USN Helicopters, the GAU-18A proved so sucessful that the 160^TH SOAR purchased a small number of systems for their MH-47E aircraft. The M2/GAU-18A 12.7mm machine gun is a left hand feed, gas operated, air cooled, fixed head space weapon with a  rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute.