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CH-47 Chinook

The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a versatile, twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots (315 km/h) is faster than many contemporary, utility and attack helicopters. Its primary roles include troop movement, artillery emplacement and battlefield re-supply. There is a wide loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage and three external-cargo hooks underneath.

By having two contra-rotating rotors front and rear of the aircraft, the Chinook eliminates the need for a traditional rear vertical rotor. As both rotors turn in opposite directions, the torque they apply to the helicopter is cancelled out. This arrangement also creates extra lifting capacity by having all of the engine's power dedicated to lift and thrust.

The CH-47D helicopter is a twin turbine, tandem rotor medium lift helicopter manufactured by the Boeing Vertol Company (Boeing). The aircraft was developed from the CH-47C and entered service in 1984. It was designed for transportation of cargo, troops and weapons during day, night, visual and instrument meteorological conditions.

Chinooks have been highly capable workhorses since they entered ADF service in 1995 in operations both in Australia and overseas. The Army's Chinooks from the 5th Aviation Regiment have been used on deployment in Afghanistan. Able to lift over 11 tonnes, they have proved their worth ferrying personnel and stores and supporting the Australian Forces. To keep them flying in such a harsh environment, they need a large crew of support staff including Avionics Technicians and Aircraft Technicians.

On 01 February 2012 Minister for Defence Stephen Smith announced that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) fleet of Chinooks had increased to seven following the arrival of two additional CH-47D Chinook helicopters in Townsville. In November 2011, the Government approved the purchase of the two ex-United States Army Chinooks following the loss of one ADF Chinook on operations in Afghanistan in May 2011. The Minister said the new Chinooks would enter a period of deep maintenance and modification to bring them up to the same configuration as the existing ADF Chinook fleet. Both Chinooks were scheduled to be delivered to the Australian Army to support operations by the middle of 2012.

CH-47F Chinook

On 05 May 2015, in a ceremony at Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville in northern Queensland, Australia commissioned their first two Boeing CH-47F Chinook advanced configuration aircraft. It’s a major milestone in the updating of the Australian Army’s cargo helicopter fleet. The acquisition is part of an ongoing transformation that’s allowing Australia to build one of the world’s newest and most technologically advanced armed forces. Five additional new Chinooks will be delivered this year, eventually replacing an existing fleet of six older CH-47D Chinooks.

The outgoing CH-47D Chinooks have proved highly effective in Australian operations, and the new CH-47F Chinook will deliver an improved cargo helicopter for Australia’s Army. The Australian Chinook fleet is flown by the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment, 16th Aviation Brigade. Under the scope of the contract, Boeing Defence Australia will provide delivery and on-site operational maintenance support to the seven aircraft.

Head of Modernisation and Strategic Planning – Army Major General Gus McLachlan said “These aircraft will do what they are designed for. They will rescue Australian citizens in flood and disaster operations and be involved in inserting peacekeeping in the region and it is almost certain they will be used to insert Australian soldiers in combat in operations around the world. It is the nature of this particular aircraft and the life of systems like this.”

The project, which represents a $631 million investment in Australia’s safety and security, would see the seven helicopters and two flight simulators with major equipment deliveries scheduled for completion by August this year. 5 Avn Regt will achieve an initial operational capability with these new aircraft from December and a fully mature operational capability by January 2017.

The State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for CH-47F aircraft, related equipment and support. The estimated cost is $180 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on December 18, 2015.

The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of: Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Three (3) CH-47F Chinook Helicopters; Six (6) T55-GA-714A Aircraft Turbine Engines; Three (3) Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade & Below (FBCB2)/Blue Force Tracker (BFT); Three (3) Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS); Three (3) Honeywell H-764 Embedded Global Positioning/Inertial Navigation Systems; and Three (3) Infrared Signature Suppression Systems.

This proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner which has been, and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress within the Pacific region and globally. The proposed sale of the CH-47F aircraft will improve Australia's heavy lift capability. Australia will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. The CH-47F aircraft will replace Australia's retiring CH-47D aircraft. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.