Military transport helicopters are very important aircraft forever army. Their ranking on this list will be based on their size and their maximum capacity. Let's see the five biggest!
5. Mi-38
We start the list with a Russia product that was developed for commercial and military usage. The aircraft was proposed as a successor for the Mi8 and Mi-17 helicopters. Its limited production started in 2017 and the first ones were delivered to the Russian army in 2018.
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The helicopter can carry 32 soldiers or 5t of cargo. Externally, it can transport almost 7t.
4. V-22 Osprey
The specific aircraft isn't exactly a helicopter, at least with the widely known meaning of the term. V-22 is the first tiltrotor operational aircraft, and the first deliveries started in 2001 in the US. Today, Osprey is the largest aircraft that can perform Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL).
The -almost- helicopter can transfer 24 soldiers, 9t of cargo internally and 6.8t externally. The aircraft can be refueled during the flight! Another great feature of the V-22 is that it can fly at speeds greater than 500kmh, a fact that makes it almost two times faster than other transport helicopters.
3. CH-74F Chinook
Another American one, CH-74F is the best version of the famous Chinook helicopter. The initial CH-74F made its first flight in 1961 and since then, more than 1,160 units have been produced in USA, Italy, and Japan. The helicopter will serve at least 2060, something that means it will complete 100 years of service.
The original CH-74 Chinoon can carry 44 troops, carry 10.3t internally, and 11.3t externally. The CH074F version can carry 55 soldiers and 12.7t of cargo. Until 2014, at least 300 helicopters were delivered to the USA.
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2. CH-53K King Stallion
CH-53K is a new transport helicopter that was developed especially for the needs of the US Marine Corps. The aircraft has CH-53 Super Stallion as a base model. Since 1974, Super Stallion was the biggest and most powerful helicopter outside Russia. Today, King Stallion is the biggest and heaviest helicopter of the US Army.
The aircraft can transport cargo up to 15.9t or 37 soldiers. With extra seats, CH-53K can carry up to 55 troops. Of course, externally it can carry heavy weapons and vehicles.
1. Mil Mi-26
Mi-26 is the biggest helicopter that is being produced in the world. Today, the helicopter is being operated by at least 20 countries like Russia and India. Its development started in the '70s and eventually, Mi-26 became fully operational in 1983.
Internally, the aircraft can carry up to 80 soldiers, although they have been times when 150 soldiers 'fit' in the helicopter. Externally, the helicopter can carry two vehicles, with a maximum weight of 10teach!
The newest version, Mi-26M, can carry even heavier cargo, up to 25t!
