Boeing delivers Canadian CH-147F Chinook helicopters ahead of schedule
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa., 1 July 2014. Boeing [NYSE:BA] completed the delivery of 15 CH-147F medium-to-heavy-lift helicopters to the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The Canadian CH-147F advanced, multimission helicopter features a modernized airframe with a long-range fuel system, enabling it to fly twice as far as standard range models. An upgraded electrical system provides additional power and redundancy, while an integrated Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit and Digital Automatic Flight Control System reduce pilot workload and provide greater situational awareness.
“This was a complex aircraft program, yet the partnership and collaboration between Boeing, the Canadian customer, and our industry partners enabled us to deliver all 15 aircraft on or ahead of schedule,” explains Steve Parker, Boeing vice president Cargo Helicopters & H-47 program manager. “And the advanced technology in the Canadian Chinook will meet the operational needs of the Royal Canadian Air Force well into the future, allowing them to move troops and equipment, and provide support to humanitarian relief efforts, anywhere in the world.”
The aircraft also has an advanced Aircraft Survivability Equipment suite that includes a Directional Infrared Countermeasures system that increases crew safety while allowing operations to be conducted in a wider range of threat environments.
“The Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter project is making an exemplary contribution to the Canada First Defence Strategy,” explains Col. Andrew Fleming, program manager for the Medium Heavy Lift Helicopter Project Management Office. “The combined efforts of the Government of Canada, Boeing, and all partners involved in delivering this new capability, on time and on budget, serve as a model for future Canadian Defence acquisitions.”
Boeing is providing in-service support to the CH-147F fleet over the next 20 years under a Performance-Based Logistics contract, with Canadian industry playing a key role.
The 15th CH-147F will join the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, under command of 1 Wing Kingston, Ontario, and will be based at CFB Petawawa.
Canada is among the 18 countries around the world operating Chinooks. H-47s also have performed humanitarian support, disaster relief, rescue, fire-fighting, and nation-building missions on six continents in all climates and conditions.
