CH-54A Tarhe with Universal Military Pod

Created in 1962, the heavy helicopter CH-54 Tarhe was primarily designed for transporting oversized military cargo. The powerful crane winches of the helicopter allowed it to lift loads in a hovering mode, without the need for landing. The helicopter was successfully used during combat operations in Vietnam, where it evacuated damaged aircraft and helicopters, transported artillery guns, vehicles, tanks, and even patrol boats on an external suspension. To expand the transport capabilities of the CH-54, a special container was created – a kind of transport capsule for transporting infantry, wounded, or military equipment. The containers had windows, doors, and ramp in the stern section, which made it possible to transport military equipment inside if necessary, such as guns or light vehicles. Such versatile containers could even be used for parachute deployment of soldiers. A total of 22 containers were built, each with its own military registration number.