About Boeing Helicopters & Fuel Consumption
Boeing helicopters are widely used in military and special mission roles. From the heavy-lift CH-47 Chinook to the agile AH-64 Apache, Boeing’s rotorcraft cover a wide range of missions, each with different fuel burn characteristics. This calculator estimates hourly fuel usage, cost, and CO₂ emissions for selected Boeing models.
Factors Influencing Fuel Consumption:
- Model & Mission Type: Light helicopters like the MH-6 Little Bird consume much less than heavy-lift platforms like the Chinook.
- Weight & Payload: Extra equipment, weapons, and cargo increase power demand.
- Flight Profile: Hovering, tactical maneuvers, and vertical lift consume more fuel than cruising.
- Environment: High altitudes and hot conditions reduce performance, raising fuel use.
- Fuel Type: Military helicopters primarily use JP-8, though Jet-A/Jet-A1 are also options.
Formulas Used:
- Fuel Used = Burn Rate (L/hr) × Flight Hours
- Total Cost = Fuel Used × Price per Liter
- CO₂ Emissions = Fuel Used × Emission Factor (kg CO₂/L)
Example:
A Boeing AH-64 Apache flying for 1.5 hours on JP-8 fuel at ₹92/liter:
- Fuel Used = 580 × 1.5 = 870 liters
- Total Cost = 870 × 92 = ₹80,040
- CO₂ Emissions = 870 × 2.50 = 2175 kg
Note: Fuel burn rates are averages for planning. Actual consumption depends on mission, load, and flying conditions.
