Turkey and UAE to get CH-47F Chinooks

The CH-47F is the latest variant Chinook helicopter, featuring improved avionics and systems, as well as more powerful engines for enhanced 'hot-and-high' performance.

Both Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to receive an undisclosed number of Boeing CH-47F Chinook medium/heavy-lift transport helicopters, according to a US Department of Defense (DoD) contract notification released in mid-June.

These Foreign Military Sales (FMS) make up a portion of a USD4 billion (if all the options are exercised) multi-year contract awarded to Boeing for the supply of CH-47F helicopters to the US Army.

Previously released US Defence Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) notifications show that the Turkish Land Forces Command and the Special Forces Command has requested the sale of 14 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, as well as associated parts, equipment, training and logistical support, valued at approximately USD1.2 billion, while the UAE Air Force and Air Defence (UAE AF&AD) has requested 16 such helicopters, plus support, valued at USD2 billion.

Aimed as a low cost re-manufacture of the CH-47D and to extend the model life to at least 2025, the CH-47F first flew in 2001 and the first production machine came off the Boeing Pennsylvania line in Jun 2006.

Main features includes new 4.868 shp Honeywell engines, improved avionics and an upgraded airframe with larger single-piece sections to reduce part count thus reducing vibrations and the need for inspections and repairs .

Source: Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly News - 27 June 2013

Photo: The UK Air Force Boeing CH-47F Chinook HC2 Heavy-lift Helicopter , featuring improved avionics and systems, as well as more powerful engines for enhanced 'hot-and-high' performance. (Photo by Wikipedia)

(27.06.2013)