Army Helijet

Army Helijets, some versions known as Watchdogs, are workhorses of the U.S. Army. They are responsible for conveying supplies, troops, and equipment to remote locations. Watchdogs escort Sidewinders on hazardous jungle manoeuvres.

Design
At the front of the Army Helijet is a pilot cabin, situated on the starboard side is a door to enter. Next to the door on the outside are radio and electronics racks. In the cabin, the co-pilot and communications officer sits on the left, the flight commander in the middle, and the pilot on the right. Inside the nose are communications and surveillance antennae. Behind the cabin is a main cabin, a door connecting it with the pilot cabin is located behind the pilot's seat. Inside the roof atop the wall separating the pilot and main cabin are stability augmentation system activators. Behind the activators at the tail atop elevated framework are three rotor blades, glass fibre is used in their construction. In the centre where the rotor blades meet is a rotor head mechanism and pitch change control levers. Beneath each rotor head mechanism is a drive shaft and bearing mounting. The tail rotor utilises a rotor control hydraulic jack, located next to the drive shaft. Situated in front of the shaft is an oil cooler. Underneath the tail rotor is a jet exhaust housing. On the left side of the cabin has seating for passengers, underneath the seating is a fuel tank. There are two other tanks: one on the floor opposite and a little in front of the seating, and the other underneath this one. Either side on the exterior are two horizontally stacked cylinders. Each cylinder houses a T66-L70 turboshaft engine and compressor. The main cabin's rear section has a cargo hold and exit hatch. In front of the framework housing the oil cooler are two UEI-N77 turbojet engines. The Army Helijet also has fuel feed pipes and starboard engine exhaust pipes.

Technical data
Fuselage length: 17 metres. Max range: 2735 miles. Max speed: 220 mph. Length overall: 26 metres. Max take-off weight: 18,600 kgs. Power: 4 T66-L70 turboshaft engines, 2 UEI-N77 topside turbojets. Rotor diameter: 17.84 metres. Weight (empty): 8,505 kgs.