Article Posted on : - Jul 02, 2014

Canadian CH-147F Chinook lands at Boeing's aerospace manufacturing facility near Philadelphia. A Boeing photo

RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA (BNS): The Royal Canadian Air Force has taken delivery of the 15th CH-147F Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter from Boeing, ensuring advanced operational capability for the Canadian Chinook fleet.

The Canadian CH-147F is an advanced, multi-mission helicopter that features a modernised airframe with a long-range fuel system allowing it to fly twice as far as standard range models.

An upgraded electrical system provides additional power and redundancy, while a fully integrated Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit and Digital Automatic Flight Control System reduce pilot workload and provide greater situational awareness.

The aircraft also has an advanced Aircraft Survivability Equipment suite that includes a Directional Infrared Countermeasures system that increases crew safety while allowing operations to be conducted in a wider range of threat environments.

US defence major Boeing is providing in-service support to the CH-147F fleet over the next 20 years under a Performance-Based Logistics contract, with Canadian industry playing a key role.

The final CH-147F will join the Royal Canadian Air Force's 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, under command of 1 Wing Kingston, Ontario, and will be based at CFB Petawawa.