Boeing delivered a seventh CH-47F Chinook to the Australian Army last week, on-budget and three weeks ahead of schedule, according to a company news release. The seven Chinooks, ordered as part of a U.S. Foreign Military Sale (FMS) case, will eventually replace Australia’s older fleet of CH-47D Chinooks.
“Boeing is committed to meeting our customers’ needs anywhere in the world with the right capability, delivered on time and cost,” said Steve Parker, vice president, Cargo Helicopters and H-47 program manager. “These early deliveries demonstrate that commitment.”
Australian Army soldier Corporal Trent Bayliss, Aircrewman Technician, 5th Aviation Regiment, during the commissioning ceremony of the first two new CH-47F Chinook helicopters at RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland, May 5, 2015. Australian DOD photo
Australia has operated Chinooks extensively, and intensively, over the past few years at home and abroad. The CH-47F adds a digital cockpit, an advanced communications system and new avionics to the venerable Chinook, early models of which first flew during the Vietnam era. Australia’s CH-47Fs also include a rotor brake to enable shipboard operations by braking and stopping the rotor blades rather than leaving them to slowly “spin down” after engine shutdown. Boeing Defense Australia will continue to provide maintenance support for the new aircraft, as it has for the CH-47Ds.
“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,” said Rear Adm. Tony Dalton of Australia’s Department of Defense. “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 is operating the new Chinooks from its base in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.