The CH-54 was designed with four, 5000 lb each small hoists called load levelers. They were placed equidistant, fore and aft of the main rotor shaft. The picture that was posted has the cables attached to those locations. Certification of the CH-54 military and S-64 commercial models included flight loads survey testing utilizing those attachments.
I recall watching Jack Peterson and Jim Kay do the power off landing at 42k*. When they flared at the bottom, with just the load rack suspended from the load levelers, they just changed attitude-did not get any lift to speak of from the fuselage. Good landing though.
*Now that I think about it, I think the one I saw was the 54B/64F at 47k. The absence of fuselage lift makes the timing of the collective application critical.
Last edited by JohnDixson; 26th Feb 2021 at 12:51.
Reason: additional thought