An American aerospace company that was a primary pioneer in tandem-rotor helicopter design during the mid-20th century. Originally founded as Piasecki Helicopter by Frank Piasecki, the firm was renamed Vertol Aircraft Corporation in 1956 to reflect its focus on vertical lift technology. The company’s engineering hallmark was the “banana-shaped” tandem-rotor configuration, which eliminated the need for a tail rotor and provided superior lift and center-of-gravity stability for heavy cargo and troop transport.
Vertol is most significant for developing the foundational designs of the CH-46 Sea Knight (used extensively by the U.S. Marine Corps) and the CH-47 Chinook, which remains one of the most successful heavy-lift helicopters in history. In 1960, the company was acquired by BoeingThe Boeing Company: A global aerospace leader and one of the world’s largest defense contractors, specializing in the design and manufacture of milita... More, becoming the BoeingThe Boeing Company: A global aerospace leader and one of the world’s largest defense contractors, specializing in the design and manufacture of milita... More Vertol division. This acquisition allowed BoeingThe Boeing Company: A global aerospace leader and one of the world’s largest defense contractors, specializing in the design and manufacture of milita... More to dominate the military rotorcraft market for decades, and the “Vertol” lineage continues today through Boeing’s ongoing production and modernization of tandem-rotor aircraft for global military forces.