Canadian Chinook program delivers first aircraft ahead of schedule

RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa., June 30, 2014 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Royal Canadian Air Force today celebrated the delivery of the 15^th CH-147F Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter, ensuring advanced operational capability for the Canadian Chinook fleet.

“The Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter project is making an exemplary contribution to the Canada First Defence Strategy,” said Col. Andrew Fleming, program manager for the Medium Heavy Lift Helicopter Project Management Office. “The combined efforts of the Government of Canada, Boeing and all partners involved in delivering this new capability, on time and an on budget, serve as a model for future Canadian Defence acquisitions.”

The Canadian CH-147F is an advanced, multi-mission helicopter that features a modernized 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.

“This was a complex aircraft program, yet the partnership and collaboration between Boeing, the Canadian customer and our industry partners enabled us to deliver all 15 aircraft on or ahead of schedule,” said Steve Parker, Boeing vice president Cargo Helicopters & H-47 program manager. “And the advanced technology in the Canadian Chinook will meet  the operational needs of the Royal Canadian Air Force well into the future, allowing them to move troops and equipment, and provide support to humanitarian relief efforts, anywhere in the world.”

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.

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.

Canada is among the 18 countries around the world operating Chinooks. H-47s also have performed humanitarian support, disaster relief, rescue, fire-fighting and nation-building missions on six continents in all climates and conditions.