CH 47 Chinook

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) today announced that it has received a US$1.15 billion contract from the Canadian government for 15 new CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. Under the contract, Boeing will match Canada's purchase price by executing contracts and investments of equal value with Canadian industry./

Designated the CH-147 in Canada, the Chinooks have been contracted to meet Canada's Medium-to-Heavy Lift Helicopter program requirements. They will be produced at the Boeing Rotorcraft Systems facility in Ridley Township, Pa., with deliveries expected to occur between 2013 and 2014.

Speaking today at an event hosted by the ministries of Defence and Industry at the I.M.P. Aerospace facility in Halifax, Jack Dougherty, Boeing vice president, H-47 Programs, said, "Boeing is extremely pleased that Canada has selected the CH-147 Chinook, the world's leading tandem-rotor helicopter, to modernize its defense forces' airlift fleet.
"This is also great news for Canadian troops," Dougherty added. "They are a national treasure, because they not only place themselves in defense of Canada, but also are the heroes who are called on in every manner of civil emergency."

The ceremony also included remarks from the Honorable Peter MacKay, Canada's Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.
"This contract is key in ensuring the Canadian Forces are a first- class, modern, flexible force capable of defending Canada and the Canadian interest for years to come," MacKay said. "This helicopter will give Canada's military a robust capability with the ability to operate in remote and isolated areas, and increase their capacity to respond to disasters both at home and abroad."

In line with Canada's Industrial & Regional Benefits policy, Boeing will match every dollar spent by the Canadian government in acquiring its CH-147 fleet by partnering with and issuing contracts to companies in Canada. These opportunities will result in long- term, high-value jobs for Canadians and build on the long-standing partnership between Boeing and Canadian industry. Contracts worth in excess of $500 million have been signed against this commitment and are being implemented by companies across Canada.

"This is a win-win for Canada and The Boeing Company," said Mark Kronenberg, vice president of International Business Development for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "Boeing seeks to partner with the very best of industry, and as a result, we continue to make a significant commitment to Canadian industry. This new contract has created opportunities for new partnerships to further grow our already large supplier base in Canada."

Along with the reinvestments Boeing will make as part of the delivery contract, the company could provide additional industry benefits in excess of $2 billion over 20 years for in-service support of the CH-147 fleet. The performance-based in-service support could include aircraft maintenance training systems and services, engineering support, supply chain management, and other expertise.

The CH-147, which will be modified to meet Canada's operational environment, will be powered by two 4,733-horsepower Honeywell engines and feature extended-range capabilities. It will be able to transport more than 21,000 pounds (9,525 kg) of cargo.

Le constructeur aéronautique américain Boeing propose des transferts de technologies à hauteur de 1,5 milliard de dollars à l'armée de l'air brésilienne pour tenter de remporter un contrat portant sur la livraison de 36 avions de combat, a-t-il annoncé lundi.

2009 AFP

Canada has signed a C$1.2 billion ($1.1 billion) contract for a reduced fleet of 15 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] transport helicopters and expects to receive its aircraft between July 2013 and 2014.

Ottawa initiated its procurement process for a new medium-lift helicopter in June 2006. It selected the CH-47F the following month, launching a lengthy period of negotiations. The Canadian Forces had previously been expected to acquire 16 of the aircraft, which will be designated CH-147Fs in national service.
Canada's aircraft will be powered by Honeywell T55-L-714A engines and feature [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] common avionics architecture system cockpits, BAE Systems digital advanced flight control systems and have distinctive long-range fuel tanks. Self-protection will be provided by a suite to include directional infrared countermeasures equipment and laser and radar warning systems.

"These helicopters are key to giving our military a robust ability to operate in remote and isolated areas," says defence minister Peter MacKay. They will also be made available to respond to events such as forest fires, floods and earthquakes, says the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Boeing has committed to delivering offsets worth 100% of the contract value. The airframer has already placed business worth more than $500 million with Canadian companies, including Nova Scotia-based [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] for manufacturing activities.

Ottawa expects to spend around a further C$2.2 billion on in-service support for its new Chinooks during their first 20 years of use.
Canada retired the last of its previous CH-47Cs in 1992, but the need to acquire a replacement medium-lift capability became apparent through Operation Athena, its ongoing commitment to the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in Afghanistan. With its CH-146 Griffons (Bell 412s) suitable only for utility tasks, Ottawa in early 2008 requested the purchase of six CH-47Ds worth around $375 million from US Army stocks.

The CH-147Ds were handed over "as is, where is" at Afghanistan's Kandahar airfield late last December and were due to be declared fully operational in May. The aircraft are expected to fly a combined 2,400h in theatre every year.

operate four Boeing C-17s and will field 17 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] C-130J-30s from late next year.

Separately, the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] has notified Congress of a possible $300 million-plus deal to supply Egypt with a further six CH-47Ds. The nation's air force has 19 C/D-model Chinooks, according to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Royal Air Force Odiham Chinook Force

The Royal Air Force Odiham Chinook Force deployed to Afghanistan in March 2006 and has since also served on relief and evacuation operations around the world.

Twenty-five per cent (or 350) of the RAF Odiham personnel are permanently committed overseas, and those not deployed are held at very high readiness for a range of other contingent tasks at home and around the world. More than half of all Chinook flying is conducted on operations and, to maximise the ability to support more, engineering effort has been transformed to raise flying hours from 12,000 to 16,000 per year.

In the last twelve months the engineers and support personnel have enabled an outstanding 7,500 flying hours on operations, nearly all of which has been achieved in Afghanistan. This has enabled support to more tactical actions and, given the criticality of the aircraft to everything, has allowed the joint campaign to switch from framework activity, maintenance of the status quo, to the deliberate pursuit of the enemy relentlessly and ruthlessly across the deserts and into the mountains throughout the seasons. The imperative for each mission is overwhelming and the statistics are impressive. In the last year the UK Chinook Force has carried 82,316 troops, 1,976 casualties, including 61 dead, and moved over 6,188 tonnes of freight into and out of battle. Such is the threat to movement by vehicle that the Chinook is the only way to shift essential food, ammunition, water and fuel.

The dependence on the ubiquitous Chinook, its crews and support personnel, in theatre is absolute.

However, with this dependence comes extraordinary technical and tactical risk, beyond anything the Force has ever faced. Each Chinook mission involves the convergence of operating the aircraft in the most extreme environmental conditions, at the very edges of the performance flight envelope, in multiple dissimilar international formations of up to 30 aircraft, preferably by night, against a sophisticated enemy that evolves its tactics on a daily basis.

Despite instances when enemy-induced football-sized rocket-propelled grenades leave holes in the aircraft and rotor blades, with numerous ‘small arms’ damage and wheels left hanging by hydraulic pipes, the robust nature of the aircraft, the exceptional flying skills of the crews and outstanding engineering support allows aircraft to be saved and operations to continue unabated on a daily basis.

It is predominantly a human effort. Eighteen year-old engineers straight out of training spend gruelling nights fixing aircraft in intrusive dust and either minus 15deg or 50deg Celsius to ensure enough aircraft are on the line.

Aircrew deploy directly from the Chinook conversion course with 250 total flying hours in their logbooks to operate the aircraft.

Crewman bear the brunt.

On one squadron every single crewman has engaged and killed the enemy directly at ‘whites-of-the-eyes’ range.

Very few have not conducted heart resuscitation, covered a sucking chest wound or inserted an intravenous drip at 120kts (230 km/h) and 50ft (16 mètres) by night over the desert.

Ultimately, though, the Chinook Force pilots are those that decide whether an aircraft lands or takes off.

More often than not it is a split-second judgement with incomplete facts and enormous technical uncertainty upon which rests up to 40 lives.

For their efforts, the Chinook Force continues to attract considerable praise from those who really count – privates and lance corporals on the ground.

The unmistakeable chest thumping sound of the Chinook rotors at speed is as motivating to the Helmand Task Force as it is frightening to the Taliban.

Overall, in every corner and component of the Chinook Force, effort this year has been spectacular.

Raising the bar again with an absolute focus on the joint campaign, the effect the Chinook Force achieves in theatre is high profile, prolific and profound.

For its achievements and delivery of outstanding services in the air, the RAF Odiham Chinook Force is awarded the Grand Master’s Medal.

-- allez apprendre, avant de nous écrire un seul mot de plus sur un quelconque NHLFA, .. ou équivalent !

Chinook helicopter lost in Afghanistan:
-- setback for British forces on polling dayBritish forces in Afghanistan have suffered a setback after a Chinook helicopter was destroyed in a possible Taliban strike in Helmand province.

By [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]
Published: 11:23AM BST 20 Aug 2009

The loss of one of the vital transporter aircraft came as Afghans went to the polls in the country's make-or-break election.

It was forced to make an emergency landing after the engine burst into flames in mid air over Helmand on Wednesday night.

The pilot managed to land the aircraft safely and the crew escaped without injuries before another Chinook flew in to evacuate them from the scene.

A Nato air strike was then called in to destroy the damaged Chinook to prevent it falling into Taliban hands.

The Ministry of Defence !said that the incident was being investigated but stressed that enemy action has not been ruled out.
It is understood that the lost helicopter was one of only about eight Chinooks in service in Afghanistan.
The distinctive twin rotar helicopters are vital to the British effort in Afghanistan, constantly in demand to transport troops and equipment as well as extracting wounded soldiers from the battlefield.

Despite being in short supply, their importance has grown with the increasing threat from roadside bombs targeting convoys and patrols on the ground.

British units have been forced to rely on foreign helicopters during the recent Panther's Claw operation in the run-up to the election.
Last month David Cameron, the Conservative leader, described the Government's failure to supply more helicopters as a "scandal".
A batch of eight to 10 Chinooks, currently being refitted to bolster British operations in Afghanistan, is not expected to be ready until December.

A Ministry of defence spokcesman said: "The cause of the incident is still under investigation, however enemy action has not been ruled out.
"In the short term other UK aircraft in Regional Command (South) and those operated by our Nato partners will be able to cover the helicopter lift requirement.
"In the medium term, the UK’s Joint Helicopter Command is already planning the replacement of this airframe."

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] is considering introducing around 2012 an all-new family of turboshaft engines in the 8,000-10,000shp (5,960-7,500kW) range, says a US-based executive.
Dennis Jarvi, president of R-R's North American defence business, says he believes a new market is emerging for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft in the heavylift class.
"I think there's going to be a need for somewhere between 8,000shp to 10,000shp," Jarvi says, although "we have some time to work on it".

R-R builds the 6,000shp-class AE2100 and 1107C engines for the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] C-130J and Bell [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] V-22. The company also is a partner in the Europrop consortium that supplies the 12,000shp-class TP400 for the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] programme.

The new engine family would bridge the considerable gap between these products as the demand for more lift capacity grows for both fixed-wing airlift and helicopters.

Jarvi says the new engine family could be targeted at such emerging applications as the US military's Joint Future Theater Lift (JFTL) requirement, which is considering super-short-take-off proposals by the air force and vertical-lift proposals by the army in the A400M-size class.

R-R is also looking at a potential repowering programme for the Boeing MH-47G Chinooks operated by the US Special Operations Command, Jarvi says. The MH-47G is equipped with Honeywell T55-714 engines.

Turkey has increased its requirement for [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] transport helicopters from 10 to 14 aircraft, with its undersecretariat for defence industries, the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], having added four for special forces applications.
Turkish officials visited Boeing's Philadelphia production facilities during August to test the CH-47F. A letter of request has now been issued, and a contract signature is expected by mid-2010 via the USA's Foreign Military Sales mechanism.
The Turkish army will receive 10 transports, with the remainder to be equipped with search and rescue equipment to support special forces operations.

Turkey's aircraft will receive comunication, navigation and forward-looking infrared systems manufactured by local companies including Aselsan, with [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] to install the equipment.
Ankara launched its search for a heavy transport helicopter in 1997, but has twice cancelled the process.

The UK Ministry of Defence is seeking funds to acquire an additional batch of [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] transport helicopters, with its action being driven in part by the recent combat loss of two examples in Afghanistan.
According to minister for defence equipment and support Quentin Davies, the MoD is entitled to claim Treasury funding to buy replacements for the lost aircraft. But rather than pursue a purchase on a one-for-one basis, he "hopes to go further".

Made during a visit to RAF Odiham in Hampshire on 24 September, Davies' comments came as the MoD announced a £408 million ($650 million) avionics and engine upgrade for the Royal Air Force's current fleet of 38 Chinook HC2/2As. Dubbed Project Julius, the work will also be implemented on the service's eight long-range Chinook HC3s, which will finally enter service over a 12-month period starting from November after receiving so-called reversion work to clear them for frontline use.
The new upgrade will incorporate a glass cockpit from Thales as well as Honeywell T55-714 engines, which will deliver improved fuel efficiency and an increase in power of up to 20%. The enhancements will result in the entire fleet having a common equipment configuration, and being better equipped for operations in support of UK and coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Revealing plans to replace the two helicopters which were destroyed in Afghanistan, Davies confirmed: "If we buy more Chinooks we will be making sure that they are fitted to the same [Project Julius] specification."
Military sources say talks of an attrition buy are at an early stage, but if approved they could lead to the acquisition of a significant number of additional aircraft.

This would enable the MoD to make more progress in plugging a gap in battlefield lift capacity highlighted by the UK National Audit Office in 2004, and support the likely conclusions of an ongoing study into its helicopter requirements for the next 30 years.

Other near-term measures include a [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], and a modernisation and life-extension programme for the RAF's Puma HC1s which will extend operations of the type until 2025.

Davies says a contract covering the Puma upgrade will be signed "very soon", despite his opposition to the scheme. The minister earlier this year unsuccessfully pushed for the MoD to instead make a rapid acquisition of UH-60 Black Hawks from US manufacturer Sikorsky.

"That avenue didn't work, but I'm pursuing others," he says. "We will be buying additional helicopters, and will do so to get military effect as quickly as possible."

Davies: "expect more announcements soon".

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]The UK [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] has signed a £300 million ($479 million) contract to upgrade at least 28 of its [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] transport helicopters with more powerful engines and improved cockpit systems.
[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] will act as prime contractor for the effort, which will deliver its first aircraft to the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] within two years and have half of the improved fleet in use by the end of 2012. The last modernised aircraft will be handed over by December 2014, the company says.
The improved HC2-standard aircraft will be equipped with new cockpit avionics and communications equipment, plus replacement flight control systems under a £220 million deal. To extend operations of the type by 10 years, the work will also add new defensive aids system equipment and a digital autopilot, says Eurocopter.
The aircraft will also receive Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines that produce 35% more power than the Puma's Turmo engines, and deliver a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, the MoD says.

The engine upgrade accounts for around £45 million of the modernisation programme, and will play a key role in enabling the support helicopter to participate in operations in Afghanistan, it adds.
"The upgrades amount to a significant capability enhancement for the aircraft," says minister for defence equipment and support Quentin Davies. The MoD's 18 September contract also includes an option to modify a further two of the aircraft, 30 of which are based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. Deliveries of the HC1 started in 1971.
Other companies involved in the HC2 effort include Chelton, Qinetiq, [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems, Smiths and Thales UK.

RAF operations of the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] HC2/2A are also to receive a major boost from around 2014-15, following [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]. This will equip the service's current 38 aircraft - plus eight Chinook HC3s to enter use from late this year - with a standard improved cockpit configuration and more powerful Honeywell T55-714 engines.

Le Premier Ministre britannique aurait pris la décision, en accord avec ses ministères des finances et de la défense, de renoncer à lancer un appel d'offres pour remplacer ses hélicoptères "Sea King" et ses "Puma" vieillissants, selon le 'Financial Times', en lançant une procédure accélérée pour commander une trentaine d'hélicoptères lourds "Chinook" à Boeing. Le contrat pourrait porter sur 1 Milliard de Livres (1,11 Milliard d'Euros) et serait financé par le ralentissement de certains programmes militaires jugés secondaires. L'objectif serait d'obtenir d'ici 1 à 2 ans maximum les premiers appareils pour alléger le programme de ceux qui officient en Afghanistan.

SEVRIEN a écrit:Dans les jours ou semaines qui viennent, .... "watch this space" !

Et si le CHINOOK était encore à l'honneur ? Qui sait ?

Gordon Brown is examining plans to fast-track a big order of Chinook transport helicopters for Afghanistan, abandoning the government's longer term procurement strategy.

The prime minister is weighing up a proposal, backed by the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury, to cut low-priority defence projects to fund the purchase of about 20 heavy-lift helicopters over the next five to 10 years.
The purchase of the Chinooks could cost about £1bn. Defence officials are engaged in talks with Boeing over a delivery schedule, but some defence figures expect new aircraft to be available for operations within a year or two.

A decision to buy a batch of Chinooks from Boeing would represent a "seismic shift" in defence policy, cancelling a long-planned competition to supply medium-lift helicopters, according to one defence industry executive.

The move would allow ministers to respond more rapidly to demands for more helicopter support in Afghanistan, addressing a sensitive political issue that could flare up during next year's election. It would also streamline the UK helicopter fleet over the next decade to about four main models.

However, budget hawks at the MoD fear the prime minister could still balk at sanctioning the financial sacrifices necessary to pay for the helicopter purchase, particularly after the recent U-turn over plans for modest cuts in the Territorial Army budget. Mr Brown will make a decision ahead of the Pre-Budget Report, expected within a month.

He has long insisted that troops in Afghanistan have sufficient helicopters for current operations, in spite of complaints from the military.

The Future Medium Helicopter programme was supposed to replace the UK's ageing Sea King and Puma fleets, with the cost being spread over many years.
The cancellation of thisprogramme would help fund the more rapid delivery of the heavy-lift Chinooks.

Some defence figures expressed frustration that Boeing had been handed a slice of spending without a competition.

Another said there was a clear "political dimension" to the decision before the election.

SEVRIEN a écrit:Salut, et merci !

Jr vois qu'il manque le Canada dans votre liste ! Ce n'est pas une critique.

Liste des pays "exploitants" :
----------------------------
Military operators

CH-47 operators

Argentina
Australia
Egypt
Greece
Iran
Italy
Japan
Libya
Morocco
Netherlands
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Singapore
South Korea
Spain
Thailand
United Kingdom
United Arab Emirates
United States
Vietnam
-------------

Pays qui a passé commande depuis :
Canada

Civilian operators

People's Republic of China
Civil Aviation Administration of China (one month demonstration period).

Boeing Demonstration aircraft. Canada
Helifor Canada Corp (under lease from Columbia Helicopters)
-----------
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Taiwan National Fire Administration (currently operates three 234s and nine CH-47SD)
----------------

Ecuador
Icaro Air (under lease from Columbia Helicopters)

Norway
CHC Helikopter Service (formerly Helicopter Services)
etc. etc.

The Defence Secretary, Bob Ainsworth, is expected to announce a 3.5bn helicopter building programme early this week.

The Vision 2020 document will detail plans for 120 aircraft to be ordered over a 10-year period.

A long-delayed plan to purchase medium-lift helicopters, which can carry up to 25 people ....

........is expected to be scrapped.

Defence minister Baroness Taylor told the House of Lords on 12 November that "there is an opportunity to replace some of our older types [of helicopters] earlier than planned".
The review had "focused on ensuring that continued delivery on operations, increasing the percentage of our fleet that can operate effectively in the harsh conditions that we are experiencing in Afghanistan," she said.

(c) 2009 Independent on Sunday, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

The UK Ministry of Defence has placed two new contracts intended to enhance the operational performance of its [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] HC2/2A transport helicopters.
Selex Galileo will supply 21 new Titan 385ES-HD electro-optical/forward-looking infrared sensor turrets, and upgrade another four in-service Titan systems to the high-definition standard. The equipment will be supplied between February 2010 and July 2011 under the deal, which is worth more than £10 million ($16.5 million).
"The [Titan HD] system will enhance the capabilities of the Chinook fleet in current operations," says Selex. The [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] has eight of its 38 Chinook HC2/2As deployed in Afghanistan in support of the NATO-led battle with the Taliban.
Meanwhile, Permali Gloucester has received a repeat contract worth almost £380,000 to provide additional cargo handling systems for installation with the Chinook fleet.
The UK company supplied an initial number of systems between November 2007 and early 2008 to equip the RAF's Chinooks. The equipment's low-friction roller design enables the aircraft's crew members to rapidly deliver pallets, minimising the time spent on the ground during resupply missions.
RAF Chinook operations will meanwhile be boosted within the next few months with the availability of eight HC3-model transports, now being prepared for active service after spending several years in storage due to safety concerns. The aircraft are undergoing a so-called "reversion" programme of avionics modifications before entering use.
The MoD is also expected to soon announce the acquisition of additional CH-47 airframes. Two are needed to replace aircraft destroyed in Afghanistan during August, but a deal for up to 24 of the transports could be approved, according to military and industry sources.