Australia Upgrading its CH-47D Heavy Heli Fleet
Dec 13, 2011 14:06 EST
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After decades as a largely unheralded workhorse, the distinctive, twin-rotor CH-47 Chinook medium-heavy lift helicopter has suddenly become the belle of the ball. Nations that have them are keeping them, and upgrading them. Boeing’s main customers in the US military plan to keep versions of the CH-47 in service past 2030. Nations that don’t have Chinooks, want them; but like a Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Fat Boy, those who step up to buy one know that second hand models aren’t exactly plentiful – and if you want new, you’ll probably have to wait a bit.
Australia has ordered CH-47Fs, but in the mean time, the 6 CH-47Ds in 5th Aviation Regiment, C Squadron have received defensive upgrades, lost a helicopter in Afghanistan, and are now about to rise to 7 machines under a new deal…
Contracts & Key Events
Dec 12/11: The Australian government announces that the DoD has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the United States for 2 more CH-47D helicopters. They’re expected to arrive in Townsville by the end of January 2012 from US Army stocks, and will be modified to Australia’s CH-47D configuration with appropriate communications systems, etc.
They’re expected to be “ready for domestic operations” by mid-2012. The DoD says that their main purpose will be to relieve training and maintenance pressure on the existing fleet of 5 helicopters, whose defensive upgrade allow them to be deployed. At the moment, the RAAF has 2 Chinooks deployed.
Australia’s current plans involve replacing the 7 CH-47Ds with 7 CH-47Fs by 2016, but demands on the force may yet push them to either keep the D models in service longer, or send them for CH-47F upgrades.
May 25/11: A RAAF CH-47D is lost in Afghanistan, during operations. It crashes 90 km west of Tarin Kowt, catches fire, and kills 1 Australian. Lieutenant Marcus Sean Case was a helicopter pilot, but he was a passenger on this flight. Australia’s Telegraph.
Nov 30/05: Canada is regretting its decision to sell its Chinooks to The Netherlands during the “peace dividend” 1990s, but Australia sensibly kept its Chinooks around – and they may also have a larger force in Afghanistan soon. Now their 6 machines are about to undergo a $25 million upgrade to fit them with electronic countermeasures protection (which could include systems like the AN/ALQ-211 SIRFC, the M211 AIRCMM IR protection system, exhaust suppressors, etc.), improved ballistic protection, and advanced communications.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said the Government has agreed to the upgrade as part of a rapid acquisition tender process with Australian industry and foreign equipment suppliers. “This upgrade will ensure they are equipped with the necessary protection and latest technology to be safely deployed in any future high threat security environment.” Australian DoD.
