'The future of the CH-47 Chinook': See the legendary twin rotor morph into a massive drone-swarming mothership

• Chinook concept expands role beyond transport into coordinated drone deployment platform
• Rear ramp launch design enables flexible unmanned systems deployment during missions
• Heavy lift capacity supports integration of launchers, sensors, and mission systems

Boeing has released a concept video showing the CH-47 Chinook deploying swarms of drones from an internal palletized launcher.

The video depicts the aircraft opening its rear ramp and releasing launched effects that move ahead of the helicopter to expand the reconnaissance screen and detect threats.

Rather than simply moving troops and cargo, the Chinook would become a forward node for manned-unmanned teaming in contested airspace.

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From payload carrier to Airborne Node

The CH-47 ...