America Lost 200 of These in Vietnam — Why the Military Still Refuses to Replace It

The CH-47 Chinook fundamentally transformed military logistics during the Vietnam War, moving massive artillery and recovering downed aircraft. However, this heavy-lift helicopter faced severe operational challenges. Without armor, its massive tandem-rotor design made it highly vulnerable to ground fire, while the complex mechanics created a massive maintenance burden in the jungle environment. Explore the engineering history and combat reality of the Boeing Vertol CH-47 in Southeast Asia.