News Release issued by
the COI News Distribution Service on 24 September 2009
RAF Chinook
helicopters operating in Afghanistan will receive a £408m upgrade
to deliver more powerful engines and more advanced, digitised
cockpits - the MOD announced today.
This upgrade will include a £128m contract which will give the
whole Chinook fleet a significant boost by fitting a more powerful
engine, enabling the Chinooks to operate more effectively in the
hot summers and high altitudes of Afghanistan.
The new modern, fuel efficient engines also mean that despite
being more powerful, the fleet will be able to fly further without
refuelling and spend longer supporting the front line, before
needing re-servicing.
In addition, our Chinook pilots will also benefit from improved
visibility, thanks to a £280m contract to fit Thales ‘glass
cockpits’, which will improve the capability of the aircraft under
demanding low light conditions.
Speaking at the home of the Chinook fleet, RAF Odiham, the
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies said:
“The Chinook is the cornerstone of our helicopter support effort
in Afghanistan. These improvements will increase its capability
and ensure it can play an even more valuable role in supporting
our forces and NATO coalition allies in tackling insurgency in
Afghanistan.
“Upgrading the Chinook is part of a series of improvements to our
battlefield helicopter force and is powerful evidence of our
commitment and determination to give our Forces the very best equipment.”
Group Captain Andy Turner, Station Commander at RAF Odiham, said:
“This is an essential and very welcome step change in the UK
Chinook capability. It will increase the lift capacity of our
aircraft in Afghanistan, broaden safety margins when the aircraft
is heavy, reduce operating costs and equip the aircraft through to
its out of service date.
“We already feel positive about what the engine will offer and I
am confident hat the proven joint collaboration between RAF
Odiham, the MoD helicopter Engines Project Team and industry will
deliver this vital upgrade in record time.”
Flight Lieutenant Dan Padbury, Chinook pilot on 27 Squadron based
at RAF Odiham, who is currently flying Chinooks in Afghanistan,
highlighted the benefit of the new engines:
“It’s early days, but the new 714 engines have already performed
as anticipated and will certainly increase our operational
capability in theatres such as Afghanistan. Having flown a Chinook
fitted with the new engines, I noticed a marked improvement in performance.”
The cockpit enhancement programme will see Boeing as the prime
contractor, working with Thales UK and Vector Aerospace, which has
long experience of Chinook maintenance and upgrade work. The new
714A engines, which will also be fitted by Vector Aerospace at
Fleetlands, in Gosport, will be manufactured at Honeywell Inc. in
the USA.
Notes to Editors
The RAF currently operates a fleet of 38 Chinook support
helicopters in three operational squadrons (7, 18 & 27)
and an Operational Conversion Unit, based at RAF Odiham. The
Chinook Wing formed the heavy-lift element of the Joint Helicopter
Command. RAF Chinooks are used for a variety of roles, including
carrying up to 55 troops or 10 tonnes of freight. The crew
comprises two pilots or a pilot and a weapons systems operator and
two crewmen.Currently employed on essential support duties to NATO
forces in Afghanistan, the aircraft has been heavily employed on a
wide range of operations in recent years, including Iraq, Bosnia,
Sierra Leone, Kosovo, the Gulf War and the Falklands. The new
engines will be the more powerful Honeywell T55-L-714A engine
which develop 3,750 Shaft horsepower @ 4000ft – a 16-20 per cent
increase over the existing engines.The is a SERCO-run repair
facility and engine test house with full electronic diagnosis
facilities at RAF Odiham, managed by the MoD’s Helicopter Engines
Team based at RNAS Yeovilton.
For stills and imagery please go to www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk
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For further information contact:
Beth Cowley, MoD Press Office: 0207 218 3255
Tim Lewis, MoD
Defence Equipment and Support Press Office: 0117 913
0526
Adrian Harding, Honeywell Press Office: 01935
446512
Madonna Walsh, Boeing Press Office: 0207 340 1900
Contacts:
Geri Mahoney Moore
Phone: 020 7218 7958
geri.mahoney-moore113@defence.gsi.gov.uk