Army Gets New Chinooks

Image: a CH47-D Chinook helicopter lands at the SASR History and Research Centre at Campbell Barracks, WA, where it will be decommissioned for use as a training aid and static display.

In 2015 Boeing delivered the seventh and final new CH-47F Chinook to the Australian Army. A company statement said the last of the fleet of seven new aircraft was delivered on budget and ahead of schedule in mid 2015. The seven new CH-47F Chinooks will replace the current fleet of six CH-47Ds.

Steve Parker, vice president Cargo Helicopters and H-47 programme manager, said Boeing was committed to meeting its customers’ needs anywhere in the world with the right capability, delivered on time and cost and this early delivery demonstrated that commitment.

“Major developments on the CH-47F include a digital cockpit, an advanced communications system and new avionics. “Those will allow the Australian Army to operate more effectively with US and international forces through the easy exchange of digital maps that facilitate coordinated responses for military and humanitarian missions.

“The Australian Chinook configuration also includes a new rotor brake that enables shipboard operations by actively stopping the rotor blades rather than allowing the blades to naturally ‘spin down’ once the engines are turned off after landing.”

Rear Admiral Tony Dalton of Australia’s Department of Defence said the CH-47D Chinooks had been real workhorses for Australia, both at home and on operations. “Our new CH-47F Chinooks are set to be even more dependable, affordable and capable assets,” Rear Admiral Dalton said.

“We are very pleased with how Boeing and the United States Army have worked together to deliver this important capability to Australia ahead of schedule and on budget.” The Australian Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment, 16th Aviation Brigade, operates the Chinooks from their home base in Townsville, north Queensland.

Boeing Defence Australia will provide on-site operational maintenance support for the CH-47Fs, having supported the CH-47D since 2010. “The Army is working very well with the Air Force. It’s a learning experience, but the more we do it the more interoperable we become.

“Everyone here is mission focused and aware of what we need to get done, and we will work together to achieve it the best way we can.” On the east coast for Exercise Sea Raider, HMAS Canberra will be joined by the frigate HMAS Stuart off the Cowley Beach Training Area, north of Townsville.

Captain Jay Bannister, the Commander of the Amphibious Task Force (CATF) onboard Canberra said Sea Raider would certify the ARE ahead of the upcoming cyclone season for missions involving humanitarian aid, disaster relief and evacuation operations.

“Over the past few weeks, the ship has embarked about 700 troops, primarily based around the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) from Townsville and supported by elements from the 16th and 17th Brigades,” Captain Bannister said.

“The forces include five medium lift helicopters (MRH90), landing craft and small boats, trucks, troop carriers and other vehicles, all embarked in the Canberra.” The next phase aims to culminate in certification of a capable and flexible integrated joint force able to undertake those unique amphibious-based missions.