What is the ACL for the CH-47 during a mass casualty evacuation?

The appropriate answer highlights that during a mass casualty evacuation, the maximum allowable combative load (ACL) for the CH-47 helicopter is 24 litters and 1 ambulatory patient. This configuration allows for efficient use of space within the aircraft while accommodating both litter-bound patients and one ambulatory individual who is capable of moving under their own power.

The CH-47 is designed to be versatile in various helicopter mission profiles, including aeromedical evacuation. By maximizing the number of litters while still allowing for an ambulatory patient, this configuration ensures a balanced approach to evacuating casualties quickly and effectively in a mass casualty situation.

Understanding these load calculations is crucial for mission planning to ensure safety, efficiency, and adherence to air transport regulations while providing care to those in need. Other configurations, while they may accommodate different combinations of patients, do not maximize the efficient and practical evacuation of the largest number of casualties.