Australia approved to purchase 4 new Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters

 

CH-47F Chinook helicopters, these examples from Georgia Army National Guard. Photo c/o Flight International.

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of four Boeing CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters to the Australian government through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, with an estimated cost of US$259 million.

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the potential sale includes four CH-47F Cargo helicopters with customer-unique modifications, eight T55-GFA-714A aircraft turbine engines, five AN/AA-57 Common Missile Warning System, eight Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) / Inertial Navigation System (INS/EGI).

Also include are mission equipment, communications and navigation equipment, spare parts and components, special tools and testing equipment, publications and technical manuals, US government and contractor engineering, maintenance, technical and logistical support services, and other related elements.

The proposed sale is expected to improve Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats. Increase operational capabilities, strengthen homeland defense and promote military cooperation.

The Boeing CH-47F Chinook is the latest variant of the Chinook military helicopter family, with updates on avionics, a redesigned ramp and rear rotor pylon, and new countermeasures to defeat incoming missiles.

The Australian Army is expected to be the end-user of these new helicopters, which currently operates 10 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, replacing the older CH-47D Chinook which served in Afghanistan. 

The CH,47F Chinook helicopters were also used in supporting bushfire operations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

Boeing Defence Australia recently won a 12-month contract extension to support the Australian Army’s fleet of CH-47F Chinook.

[1] US Defense Security Cooperation Agency

[2] Defence Blog

[3] Australian Aviation