Boeing delivered the seventh CH-47F Chinook to the Australian Army in early August. This last delivery supports the modernisation of Australia’s cargo helicopter fleet as the six older CH-47D Chinooks will be replaced. The seven advanced Chinooks were ordered as part of a US Government Foreign Military Sales agreement with Australia in 2012.
Australia has one of the most advanced and highly capable Chinook fleets in the world. Major developments on the CH-47F include a digital cockpit, an advanced communications system and new avionics. Those 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 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,” CASG Head of Helicopters, Tactical Unmanned Systems and Guided Weapons Division Rear Admiral Tony 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 northern Queensland, Australia. Boeing Defence Australia will provide onsite operational maintenance support for the CH-47F aircraft, having supported the CH-47D since 2010.