The Cargobob is a cargo helicopter appearing in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online. It is manufactured by Western Company in the HD Universe.
Design[]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
The Cargobob's fuselage is mostly reminiscent of a CH-47 Chinook for the bulging fuel tanks, engine, cockpit/nose design and rear loading ramp. However, it has been given a different configuration resembling the smaller Sikorsky S-92, with some design influences from the Mil Mi-8.
The Cargobob is among the largest and heaviest helicopters in the game (on par with the Leviathan), having a large fuselage with a rounded nose and large cockpit windows on the front, as well as a nose undercarriage with dual wheels. The main section is very large and features a tall compartment where the dual engines and the four-bladed rotor are seen, as well as black frames on the upper area, the main undercarriage on the rear corners of the underside and the cargo hold with a rear ramp door (albeit the ramp door is much shorter than the actual hold entrance). The tail boom has two horizontal stabilizers and a Fenestron-style tail rotor.
The vehicle will always spawn with a desert camouflaged livery (though files indicate it spawns in a white color); coincidentally, it spawns only in the Bone County area.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The Cargobob returns in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, being a mix of the Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight with its tail boom and twin rotor layout, Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low and Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion with its nose and twin side mounted fuel tanks. Contrary to popular belief, it does not resemble a CH-47 Chinook, but in fact most resembles the CH-46 Sea Knight which, like the Chinook, has a twin rotor layout, but it is much shorter and has a three wheel undercarriage, as featured on the Cargobob.
Again, the Cargobob is among the largest and heaviest helicopters in the game (on par with the Skylift), having a large fuselage with a mostly flat nose and large cockpit windows on the front, as well as two air data sensors on the nose, large access doors and a single landing undercarriage. Around the main/rear section, the aircraft mostly consists of the cargo hold with two open access points, side steps and small square windows, while the upper area has tall rotor compartments with four-bladed rotors each. The engines are seen beside the front compartment, and a large intake is seen on the rear compartment, along with a protruding section for the driveshaft. The rear corners of the underside house the main landing undercarriage, while the rear end has the corresponding ramp door.
The interior of the aircraft is large and denotes a small elevation for the cockpit area in comparison to the cargo hold, having a wide instrument panel with digital screens on the center, and a single control stick for the pilot. The cargo hold allows two passengers on the access points and six passengers on the bench seats, which are simply teleported in when the front seats and access points are occupied. In the enhanced version, it uses the same "Lazer" dial set from aircraft such as the Shamal, the Luxor and the P-996 LAZER, with a layout that is mirrored for both halves of the panel.
There are two main variants of the vehicle:
- The first one is the military version operated by the United States Marine Corps and appears in the usual desert camo with "Marines" stencils, military emblems and the identification number "435". The vehicle is set to spawn in a white color, although the livery covers most of the vehicle, being only visible on the trimming of the cockpit doors and rear ramp.
- The second one (referred to as Cargobob Jetsam on the Warstock Cache & Carry website) is a civilian version operated by Jetsam. This version appears in a white primary color with red stripes, with engine compartments in the secondary color, along with "CARGOBOB 893", "N-LS69" and "Jetsam Heavylift Services" markings around it. Compared to the military variant, parts of the nose equipment have been removed, resulting in a smoother nose resembling earlier versions of the CH-53 Sea Stallion or even the SH-3/S-61 Sea King.
Both variants use the same wheel design, being industrial wheels derived from trucks such as the Benson, the Mule and the Phantom.
Current Design Gallery[]
Version History Gallery[]
Performance[]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
Although the Cargobob features an open rear loading compartment, it cannot carry other vehicles due to the ramp from the back being inoperable. Its huge weight causes the Cargobob to be incredibly slow, as well as making it very difficult to adjust altitude, turn, or conduct other evasive maneuvers. Although a military helicopter, it does not come equipped with flares. The Cargobob does, however, have very strong armor — it can take over 12 missiles before catching on fire and eventually exploding. This makes the Cargobob almost as resistant as the AT-400. However, on the iOS port, its health has been reduced to Raindance-level.
GTA San Andreas Overview[]
| Take-Off Speed (0-60 knots in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh / knots) |
Engine Type | Engine Location | Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 124 / 200 / 108 | Petrol | N/A | 20000 / 44092 |
| N/A | N/A | Twin turboshaft engines, 4-bladed rotor | Middle/Side-mounted | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
Vehicle[]
The Cargobob is a relatively slow helicopter and is easily less maneuverable than most helicopters in the game, though still easier to control than the Skylift, given its shorter profile and the fact that this helicopter does not use a tail rotor, but two main rotors in a tandem layout. Given its low speed and the large profile, the Cargobob is highly vulnerable to gunfire, rockets and, especially, weaponized aircraft. However, to compensate the sluggish handling, it has bulletproof windows, giving the pilot some time to take off when surrounded by enemies.
The Cargobob is powered by two turboshaft engines, powering two rotors in a tandem configuration. Its engine and rotor blade spin sound is rather unique, being a heavier and faster-pace variation of most helicopter sounds, possibly owing to the dual rotors working at the same time. The Jetsam version has a quieter engine and rotor blade spin sound.
Hook[]
Pressing right on the D-Pad or E on a keyboard deploys a grappling hook, which allows for it to carry vehicles (it can also carry some objects, such as certain shipping containers). When the grappling hook hovers over the car or another vehicle, it will automatically attach. The helicopter's maneuverability is affected by the vehicle that one will try to attach (a car could be easy, but a truck could be heavier to take off) and the winch can snap off if it is severely damaged. Note that the hook cannot be retracted and thus, will be deployed permanently unless it snaps off or when respawning the vehicle through the use of the helipad in GTA V.
GTA V and Online Overview[]
| Take-Off Speed (0-60 knots in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh / knots) |
Vertical Climb/ Descent Rate (ft/min) |
Engine Type | Engine Location | Mass (kg / lbs) |
Fuel Tank Size (litres) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 99 / 160 / 86 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 15000 / 33069 | 100 |
| N/A | 200 / 322 / 174 | N/A | Twin engine, 4-bladed tandem rotor (Website) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | Twin turboshaft engines, 4-bladed tandem rotor | Middle/Side-mounted | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
Rockstar Games Social Club[]
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
Modifications[]
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
Upon being converted into a personal aircraft, the Cargobob can be repainted with a primary color that affects the livery, while the Cargobob Jetsam can be repainted with a primary and a secondary color. Neither variant of the vehicle, however, can have their liveries removed.
| Category | Modification |
|---|---|
| Respray | Main article: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Respray Colors |
| Remove | Remove Aircraft |
Gallery[]
Grand Theft Auto V[]
Special Variants[]
Grand Theft Auto V[]
Trevor Philips Enterprises[]
A Cargobob with Trevor Philips Enterprises graffiti is used in The Merryweather Heist (Offshore method). This variant has similar paintings to that of the TPE Frogger and, at a closer inspection, fuel tanks slightly moved to the rear. In addition, the hook's chain length is doubled on this version, allowing for an easier maneuvering with the Submersible.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
Drop Zone[]
A variant of the Cargobob appears in the Executives and Other Criminals update for Grand Theft Auto Online. This variant appears to have side panels placed over the side doors and the rear bay of the helicopter is also much more detailed, as it is seen during the Adversary Modes it is featured in (see Prominent Appearances in Gameplay).
While this variant was added in the Executives and Other Criminals update, it remained unused until the release of the January 2016 Update, where it begins its use as a skydiving helicopter. The helicopter cannot be accessed during its appearances and cannot be obtained in regular gameplay. As it is not meant to be flown by the player, the helicopter's handling is unstable, greatly noticeable when the helicopter is on the ground. Furthermore, the doors will detach from the vehicle when the player enters or exits from it.
Magnet[]
Both the standard Marines and the Jetsam variant of the Cargobob utilize a unique attachable magnet during the events of Grand Theft Auto Online, albeit the last case in the enhanced version of GTA Online only. This magnet was added, alongside the extended rope hook, in the Heists update but is only used during certain missions.
The Marines variant utilizes this magnet during The Fleeca Job to pick up the players in the Armored Kuruma. The Cargobob is piloted by Eddie Toh.
The Jetsam variant utilises the magnet during Arms Embargo as part of the Import/Export update in the enhanced version of the game. Two Jetsam Cargobobs have the magnets attached and use them to transport Ruiner 2000s to Fort Zancudo. During this mission, the player has control of the magnet as they are able to disconnect their car from the magnet on command.
Extended Hook[]
Both the Marines Cargobob and Jetsam Cargobob appear with an extended version of the hook during certain missions, albeit only in the enhanced version. The hook model was initially added alongside the magnet attachment in the Heists update but remained unused until the Gunrunning update for the enhanced version of the game. The extended hook helicopter can be kept after the missions for a short while, until it de-spawns. If it is landed on an office helipad to become session-persistent, it will revert to the short hook length.
This version of the hook is the same used in the TPI variant from The Merryweather Heist (Offshore method).
Gunrunning[]
The standard Marines Cargobob appears during a Resupply mission involving stealing a Rhino Tank. The Cargobobs with these extended hooks appear parked near the Rhino Tank during the mission and can be used to carry the Rhino Tank. The helicopter itself is also much more durable than any other appearance it makes. This particular Cargobob can be kept after the mission and makes good use as it is still able to hook onto vehicles. However, its durability will return to its normal state.
Smuggler's Run[]
The extended hook makes another appearance as of the Smuggler's Run update, where a Jetsam Cargobob uses the extended hook to carry containers during an Air Freight Cargo Sell Mission. The helicopter cannot be kept after this mission.
After Hours[]
The extended hook makes yet another appearance as of the GTA Online: After Hours update, where a Jetsam Cargobob uses the extended hook to carry one of the provided delivery vehicles during a Nightclubs/Sell Goods delivery mission to a buyer located on a barge offshore. If the player uses another Cargobob to deliver the goods delivery vehicle, the Jetsam Cargobob will only spawn with the short hook.
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay[]
Grand Theft Auto V[]
Heists[]
- In the heist setup mission with the same name, Trevor Philips must steal a Cargobob from Fort Zancudo. This will be used later in The Merryweather Heist (Offshore) to carry the Submersible and the stolen device.
- In The Paleto Score, the army uses one to carry a Rhino to Paleto Bay. Unusually, instead of using the Cargobob's hook to transport the Rhino, the tank is attached to the helicopter by four cables instead.
Missions[]
- The Jetsam version is only used during Monkey Business by Trevor Philips to evacuate a chemical weapon out of the Humane Labs and Research facility.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
Missions[]
- The missions Coveted, Docks to Stock, Docks to Stock II and American Exports requires the player to use one in order to steal a container.
- In Base Invaders, the player must steal one from Fort Zancudo.
Survivals[]
- Used by attacking enemies in various Survivals:
Heists[]
- In The Fleeca Job, Eddie Toh will use one with an electromagnet to pick-up the crew and the Kuruma.
Organization Work[]
- A dark red and black Jetsam Cargobob is provided for use during Airfreight. This variant also utilizes the extended hook.
Vehicle Cargo[]
- A military Cargobob may appear as an optional target to steal for a Vehicle Cargo steal mission, located on a barge off the coast. This version has increased resistance, enough to withstand gunshots from the guarding enemy group of the barge and the oncoming Buzzard Attack Choppers.
Special Vehicle Work[]
- Both versions can be seen in the Special Vehicle Work mission Arms Embargo. The Jetsam version is operated by SecuroServ pilots to carry the crew's Ruiner 2000s using the electromagnet, and the military ones appear as targets that must be destroyed.
Supplies[]
- Appears during some Resupply jobs for Gunrunning, when stealing a tank. This particular model has the rear hatch permanently open and has an extended hook.
Mobile Operations[]
- Several Jetsam Cargobobs appear in the Mobile Operations mission Severe Weather Patterns, as targets to be destroyed.
- A military Cargobob will appear in the Mobile Operations mission Offshore Assets carrying the APC. A Jetsam one is seen around the site of the wrecked freighter.
Air Freight Cargo[]
- A black Jetsam Cargobob appears during an Air Freight Cargo Steal Mission, the Cargobob Infiltration. This particular model features an auto-pilot feature which cannot be obtained outside of the mission. It also lacks a hook.
- A grey Jetsam Cargobob appears during an Air Freight Cargo Sell Mission involving delivering small containers to specific locations and lowering them onto Flatbed trucks. This variant features an extended hook.
The Doomsday Heist[]
- A Jestam Cargobob appears in the setup mission "Barrage" as a target to be destroyed so the crew can steal the Barrage ATV.
After Hours[]
- The player uses a Cargobob to rescue The Black Madonna from the LSPD at the docks.
- A Jetsam Cargobob is provided in a Nightclub sell mission to bring the delivery vehicle to a Lando-Corp barge located off the coast.
Arena War[]
- Two military Cargobobs, one in its regular color and the other in green, appear in the mission Repo - Do You Even Lift? that can optionally be stolen in Backlot City. Several more are also found scattered around the city.
The Diamond Casino & Resort[]
- A grey Jetsam Cargobob is seen parked on the helipad of the casino during the mission Casino - Bad Beat.
The Diamond Casino Heist[]
- In the Aggressive approach, when the heist leader chooses the roof terrace of the casino as the entry point, the crew has the option to board a black Cargobob located in the storm drain and get flown up to the roof helipad.
Contracts[]
- A military Cargobob with the rear ramp door open is seen during Planning Work: Tracking Device.
Adversary Modes[]
- The "Drop Zone" variant appears in various Adversary Modes where players parachute from the rear bay:
- In Drop Zone, the teams will parachute from it to reach the drop zone.
- In Dawn Raid, the teams will parachute from it to reach the transmitter.
- In Motor Wars, the teams will parachute from it to search and collect gear to fight against the rival team.
- Assault on ATT-16 – Appears as one of the respawn vehicles for the Attackers.
Locations[]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- On the helipad of the K.A.C.C. Military Aviation Fuel Depot, in northeast Las Venturas. The depot can be entered by driving a military vehicle (Patriot, Rhino or Barracks) or flying above the fence.
- Inside the Area 69 airfield, on the small airstrip near the Hydras. Area 69 triggers a 5-star wanted level, becomes swarmed by military, police, and FBI agents, and the airspace above it is guarded by S.A.M. sites and enemy Hydras, making acquisition of this Cargobob very dangerous.
Grand Theft Auto V[]
- Can be seen flying around Fort Zancudo.
- Can be found on a helipad near the Barracks' spawn point. The helicopter always is almost ready to take-off, so the player needs to shoot at the pilot in order to scare him and obtain it.
- This method seems to be impossible in the enhanced version, as the vehicle may spawn far away from the player and the pilot cannot be scared anymore.
- Can be bought for $2,200,000 from Warstock Cache & Carry. Sometimes, a livery-less variant will be delivered.
- This glitch has been mostly patched as of update 1.16, meaning if the player has a livery-less Cargobob, it is unique. Such glitches can still occur, albeit not as frequently.
- Can be obtained and kept during the mission Cargobob. The player has to land it on Sandy Shores Airfield's helipad instead of the yellow marker. Then exit the helicopter and run away. This will cause the mission to fail, which is when the player should refuse to retry. The player, as Trevor, will now be spawned near to one of the entrances to Fort Zancudo and after returning to the airfield, the Cargobob will be still saved on the helipad.
- The Jetsam variant can be obtained and kept during the Monkey Business mission. The player has to land it on Sandy Shores Airfield's helipad instead of the yellow marker. Then exit the helicopter and the player has to kill themselves. This will cause the mission to fail, which is when the player should refuse to retry. After returning to the airfield, the Cargobob will be still saved on the helipad.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
- Can spawn at various helipads after reaching Rank 22.
- Parked at Los Santos Naval Port.
- Can be found flying around Fort Zancudo and occasionally taking off east to the runway.
- Can be bought at Warstock Cache and Carry after the Further Adventures in Finance and Felony update on the enhanced version for $1,750,000 (Military) or for $1,995,000 (Jetsam), and will be available through Pegasus Lifestyle Management.
- In the enhanced version, the player can store either purchasable variant of the Cargobob in their personal Hangar and it will become a Personal Aircraft. It will be classed as a Medium aircraft.
Notable Owners[]
- Military
- Jetsam
- Trevor Philips - A stolen Military Cargobob with TPE's graffiti. (determinant, possibly destroyed after The Merryweather Heist by Ron under Trevor's command)
Trivia[]
Grand Theft Auto V[]
- The Cargobob is the first and only tandem rotor helicopter to appear in the Grand Theft Auto series.
- The Cargobob can carry a range of land vehicles and watercraft, as well as props, such as containers, port-a-potties, and rocks, but cannot carry aircraft or railway vehicles. It should be noted that some props will disappear when flying too far from the area where they were picked up.
- There is a specification marking on the sides that reads "Max Load Capacity - 15000kg", meaning the Cargobob can carry 15 tons. Despite this, it can only comfortably carry up to just about 3 tons. At 4 tons, it needs careful handling or it will lose altitude, and at 6 tons, it will seriously struggle to leave the ground. The Insurgent, weighing in at 8 tons, cannot be lifted and will only be dragged, which puts the helicopter at high risk of being whipped onto its side and destroyed.
- Despite this, the Cargobob has no issues lifting a Rhino Tank, which weighs 60 tons according to game files. The same applies to the TM-02 Khanjali, which weighs 30 tons according to game files.
- The TPE Cargobob labels "No Fatties" over the same spot.
- After The "I'm Not a Hipster" Update, there was a glitch that caused the invisible wall that prevents vehicles from entering the cargo bay to always appear, preventing players to enter and explore it. It was patched after the Independence Day update patch, however, it also patched the door from opening altogether, rendering it impossible to store and transport vehicles in the bay.
- As of the Smuggler's Run update for Grand Theft Auto Online (enhanced version only), a Personal Aircraft Cargobob stored in a hangar can have its rear cargo door opened on command via the Interaction Menu, allowing players to enter the bay, though an invisible wall still exists for vehicles, which continues to prevent them from being driven in.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
- Before patch 1.11 for PS3 and Xbox 360, it was possible to buy the Cargobob from Warstock Cache & Carry by changing the website address to the Cargobob's page address.
- The Cargobob's hook cannot be activated while in Passive Mode. Therefore, a player should exit from Passive Mode in order to activate the hook. Entering Passive Mode again with the hook deployed will not affect it.
Oversights[]
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
- The hook can often disappear, particularly after missions involving its use. This is especially prevalent when the Cargobob is landed on an Office helipad with the cargo hook deployed. It will seemingly not be able to be re-deployed again upon exiting to the office roof and re-entering the aircraft. This issue can be fixed by re-requesting the aircraft via the Interaction Menu.
- The owner player will be unable to see the hook until the helicopter is despawned, but it will still be visible to other players and if they take over the pilot seat, it remains fully functional, even though the owner will still be unable to see it.
- After transferring a Jetsam Cargobob into a Personal Aircraft in the hangar, the helicopter may become a regular, stock Marines Cargobob when re-entering GTA Online.[2]
- This was fixed in the Doomsday Heist update, though Cargobobs converted before the update will remain unchanged.
- A minor aesthetic glitch occurs when a repainted Personal Aircraft Cargobob or Cargobob Jetsam is used to deliver a vehicle to a Vehicle Warehouse or buyer during Vehicle Cargo Steal and Sell missions, wherein the cutscene that shows the Cargobob dropping the vehicle in front of the garage or carport shows a stock, unmodified version of the Cargobob or Cargobob Jetsam instead of the repainted one.
- This cutscene also occasionally shows the Cargobob's hook a few feet above the car instead of being hooked to it, and frequently shows the Cargobob's rotor blades clipping ambient objects such as walls and rooftops while lifting off again after dropping the car, emitting sparks in the process.
- Damaged Cargobobs are not displayed in the cutscene either, giving the impression that the aircraft were repaired. but revert back to their damaged state once the cutscene ends.
- If the player lands whilst the hook is deployed and moves away from it for a short time, the helicopter will often be destroyed. This also happens when one enters any property. This applies to both Pegasus Cargobobs and Personal Aircraft Cargobobs but not stolen ones. Close inspection reveals the cargo hook clipping through whatever surface the helicopter has landed upon, bouncing back into the underside of the fuselage. Presumably, enough hits from the bouncing hook will cause sufficient damage to eventually destroy it, although sometimes it is almost instantaneous. To avoid having to pay Mors Mutual Insurance fees on personal vehicles, Cargobobs should be returned to storage after use.
- If using a Cargobob during the Bunker resupply mission in which a supply van's location is revealed after the protagonist destroys a rival operation for Agent 14, the van may randomly detach from the hook when lifted by the Cargobob. This is similar to a now-patched glitch reported by early players of Vehicle Cargo source and delivery missions, but is still in place as of June 2021 (replicated numerous times on PS4). The van tends to detach when doing sharp turns or if it swings too much on the hook and contacts the bottom of the Cargobob.
See Also[]
- Leviathan - A heavy amphibious helicopter in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
- Skylift - A heavy helicopter capable of lifting train carriages and containers in The Ballad of Gay Tony, Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online.
References[]
- ↑
Seen during several missions involving the Cargobob's hook usage, such as Resupply and Air Freight Cargo missions.
- ↑ Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE3M3gRZlDU
Seen during several missions involving the Cargobob's hook usage, such as 
