Julian Kerr | Sydney
Under the $514 million contract signed in Washington in March 2010 by then Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Minister Greg Combet, the first two aircraft were to have been delivered via the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program in 2014, with all seven in service by 2017.
However, operational planning has not been affected by this initial delay. In confirming the delivery schedule, Defence says Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is scheduled for January 2016 and Final Operational Capability (FOC) is expected in January 2017.
Army’s six current CH-47D Chinooks, two of them exUS Army aircraft delivered early in 2012 following the loss of an ADF D model on operations in Afghanistan the previous May, will be withdrawn from service by mid-2016 – the first in early 2015, Defence advises. No decision has yet been made on their disposal.
The relatively swift introduction of the CH-47F into service after delivery is being facilitated by Army’s extensive experience with the D model, extensive flight testing undertaken in the US since the first Australian F-model was completed in December, and the arrival in Townsville in April and October 2014 of two transportable, fixed-based flight proficiency simulators for pre-delivery training.
A 2013 report by the Pentagon’s Directorate of Operational Test and Evaluation said reports from Afghanistan commended the CH-47F over its predecessor for its superior navigation, enhanced voice and digital communications, ability to operate in a high altitude and hot temperature, high operational tempo, and overall system reliability.
F-model improvements notably include a monolithic airframe. This method of machining an airframe structure rather than using sheet metal and rivets substantially reduces the number of parts required, cutting production, operational and sustainment costs.
Boeing says the new process also reduces vibrations, leading to higher operational availability.
Other advances include the replacement of analogue avionics systems with digital systems that will reduce maintenance and enhance digital interoperability in the high-tech battlespace.
The Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) produced by Rockwell Collins incorporates cockpit flight and mission management, integrating multiple communications, navigation, weapons and mission sensor subsystems for reduced crew workload and improved operational effectiveness and safety.
Interfacing with the CAAS, the BAE Systems’ Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS) allows a pilot to select a precise destination and have the aircraft fly a hands-off approach to that point, after which the aircraft will move in one foot increments, laterally or vertically, at the touch of a button. This greatly improves aircraft handling characteristics in the hover, at low speeds, and in reduced visual environments such as “brown out” conditions.
Tech specs
The FMS application lodged with the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency in April 2009 comprised seven CH-47F, 16 T55-GA-714A engines, seven M134D Dillon aero miniguns, 16 AN/ARC-201D single channel ground and airborne radios, seven Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and below Blue Force Trackers, other mission, communications and navigation equipment, ground support equipment and spares.
The Honeywell T55-GA-714A turbines which replaced the less powerful T55-L-712 engines equipping early D models are fitted with FADEC (full authority digital engine control) and produce thrust of 3,529kW (4,733 shaft horsepower). Operating range is 609km (329nm) with a mission radius of 370 km.
Although the new transports are coming off the US assembly line in a common configuration with the US Army’s baseline CH-47Fs, they will incorporate optional Boeing-designed rotor brakes and ship tie-down adaptors to enhance operations from the RAN’s two Canberra class Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs).
Other Australian-specific modifications including crashworthy seating, an emergency location transmitter, underfloor ballistic protection and mounts for the 7.62mm miniguns, will be installed after the aircraft arrive in Townsville.
A spokesperson for the US Army Aviation Program Executive Office told ADM that the upgrade path for US Army CH-47Fs – likely to be followed with the Australian aircraft for interoperability reasons – includes modifications to a new cargo On/Off Loading system that is easily reconfigurable in flight.
A composite advanced rotor blade expected to begin flight testing in 2016 will add about 2,000 lb of lift capability in high/hot conditions. The CH-47F can currently carry 16,000 lb. in 4,000-ft/95F conditions, although the total load quoted by the manufacturer, obviously relating to more benign conditions, is 25,000 lb.
Other advances that will be tested in 2017-2018 include a single tank fuel design, upgraded transmissions, and a new rotor head, the spokesperson disclosed.
Defence says the deeper maintenance support provided by BAE Systems in Townsville for the CH-47D will transition to the CH-47F fleet for the remainder of the contracted period, which began in February 2011 and runs until February 2017. Subsequent support contracts will be competed in the open market.
Meanwhile work began late last year at RAAF Base Townsville on upgraded and new facilities to house and support the CH-47F fleet.
The $54.8 million contract primarily involves new aircraft hangars together with accommodation for the two CH-47F simulators and an existing crew virtual simulator, and is scheduled for completion in 2017.