First CH-147F Chinook delivered to Canada
The Royal Canadian Air Force took delivery of the first CH-147F Chinook helicopter from Boeing on 21 June, making Canada the operator of one of the most capable Chinook variants delivered to the global market.
This is the first of 15 CH-147F Chinook Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopters (MHLH) to be delivered under a contract signed in 2009. The aircraft will be followed by six additional aircraft over the remainder of 2013, with all deliveries scheduled to be complete by June 2014.
The first CH-147F was accepted by the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron. The aircraft’s features include a modernised airframe with a long-range fuel system, upgraded electrical system, fully integrated Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit, and Digital Automatic Flight Control System. The aircraft also has improved survivability features including a Directional Infrared Countermeasures system.
Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president, Cargo Helicopters, said: ‘Since receiving the contract in 2009, Boeing has executed the programme on or ahead of schedule for every major milestone, including first flight and now the delivery of the first aircraft.’
The 2009 contract includes in-service support by Boeing, and the company will provide in-service support to the MHLH fleet for the next 20 years under a Performance-Based Logistics contract. Boeing has already awarded six contracts to Canadian suppliers for services under the programme.
Raymond Haddad, Boeing director of Chinook Rotorcraft Support, said: ‘Canadian industry will play a key role in our support for MHLH, building on what is already an incredibly successful partnership’.
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