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Boeing has announced that it delivered the seventh CH-47F Chinook to the Australian Army on August 10, within budget and three weeks ahead of schedule.
The seven advanced helicopters acquired under the AIR 9000 Phase 5C Medium Lift Helicopters project, which will replace Army’s existing CH-47D variants, were ordered as part of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program agreement in 2012.
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Boeing explained that major developments on the CH-47F include a digital cockpit, advanced communications system and new avionics. The configuration for Australia includes a new rotor brake that enables embarked operations aboard the Canberra class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships by actively stopping the rotor blades, rather than allowing the blades to naturally spin down once the engine is turned off after landing.
“Our CH-47D Chinooks have been real workhorses for Australia, both here and on operations overseas, and our new CH-47F Chinooks are set to be even more dependable, affordable and capable assets,” said Rear Admiral Tony Dalton, head of Helicopters, Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems and Guided Weapons at the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG).
The new helicopters will be based with the 5th Aviation Regiment at RAAF Base Townsville. Boeing Defence Australia will provide on-site operational maintenance support, having supported the CH-47D since 2010.
Raymond
says:Here’s hoping there’ll be a top-up order. 7 isn’t enough, especially considering LHD operations as well now. Even European nations seem to be increasing their Chinook fleets, amidst stagnant or decreasing defence budgets.
Where are the old Delta models heading?
TimC69
says:yep, definitely an additional 3-5!
G4george
says:Amazing the quick results in orders for our military when a coalition government is in, if Labor were still in power the chooks would still be on the assembly line.
chuck
says:G4george – I think you’ll find rather than a political party, it’s the advantages of FMS based procurement, rather than using projects as instruments of social / political policy. FMS doesn’t deliver local jobs, or construction in marginal electorates, nor necessarily diplomatic advantages – but it typically does deliver operational equipment on time and in budget.
Jason
says:You mean the Chinooks which were ordered in 2012 under a Labor Govt?
Jason
says:The latest issue of Australian Defence Force ARMY news stated that the last CH-47D went to the SAS History and Research Center at Campbell barracks in Perth.
The other five CH-47Ds went to the following
Australian War Memorial
Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Aircraft Maintenance School ( Oakey )
RAAF Museum , Point Cook
Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Aircraft Maintenance School ( Darwin )
Army Aviation Museum
Raymond
says:Thanks Jason.
Corey
says:The ARMY need a much larger air wing. 22 Tiger ARH helicopters, 40 MRH90s and only 7 CH-17Fs. Peronally I believe the ARMY should have 60 Tiger ARH, 120 MRH90s and 48-60 CH-47Fs. The ARMY should also buy/use H165s Light aerial armed scout/ hedivac choppers which also could be fitted with LED search light, flir camera system and a fire fighting belly tank to help out here in Australia when they’re not deployed. Out Defence Forced needs to triple in size in my personal view and I don’t care if other countries might see us as a threat because it would be their problem and Australia could justify the build up as for humanitarian aid if AUS bought additional LHDs for example.
G4george
says:They may have been ordered under a Labor gov. but it would have been pigeon holed had Labor stayed in another term.
Derrick
says:I was waiting for the Corey comments to come up…..
As for the numbers, we do need more airfares. I think another 7 will do, mostly for when the units are in maintenance and to reduce the flight hours on the airframe. As for the MHR-90 and the Tigers, we should have bought new blackhawks and apaches.
Ben68
says:Yes, Army do need more of these,. Will be interesting to see if that is mentioned in the White Paper. I think if you really research it, this was flagged as a project with the last coalition. Labour heal dragged then finally ordered. Either way a good outcome.