Columbia Helicopters has unveiled its multi-mission helicopter program featuring its Model 234 Chinook tandem-rotor, heavy-lift helicopters.
Certified to civilian transport category standards, the base Model 234 is not subject to military surplus aircraft or International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions. The 234 is capable of lifting external loads up to 25,000 pounds and features a suite of Columbia customizations designed to rapidly reconfigure the aircraft for missions including fire suppression, long-line cargo, passenger and/or medevac transport, palletized internal cargo, disaster relief, and mass evacuations. The aircraft is equipped with an internal cargo loading system using Columbia’s exclusive roller floor system, side and rear rescue hoists, and advanced life support patient loading utility systems.
“With larger and more intense events taking place with increased frequency around the world, such as fires, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, demand is on the rise for helicopters with increased year-round, interchangeable capabilities,” said Santiago Crespo, Columbia vice president of growth and strategy. “Our proven heavy-lift fleet has supported these calls for decades. With our Multi-Mission Helicopter Program, our aircraft can be quickly reconfigured in the field to support several missions, year-round, providing opportunities for increased rapid response, interagency cooperation, and cost efficiencies.”