NextGen Helo Sports Rockwell Collins, BAE Avionics
Boeing says its CH-47F Chinook helicopter has been certified
combat-ready by the US Army and fielded to the first operational
unit, making it the latest addition to the Army's aviation
fleet.
Following extensive testing, the Army authorized First Unit
Equipped, assigning the aircraft to Bravo Company ("Varsity"), 7th
Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade,
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based at Ft. Campbell,
KY.
"The CH-47F is a next-generation aircraft that provides greater
safety, mission management and situational awareness for our
soldiers," said Jack Dougherty, director, Boeing H-47 Programs.
"This represents a milestone in Army aviation."
"It is an honor to have been chosen as the first unit to field
the aircraft," said US Army Lt. Col. Robert P. Dickerson,
commander, 7th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (Air Assault).
"The Chinook is a combat multiplier and brings greater situational
awareness, versatility and capability to the fight."
Since Boeing unveiled the aircraft at its Ridley Park, PA
production facility in June 2006, the new Chinook has successfully
completed several evaluations, including air worthiness and
functional testing. In April 2007, the CH-47F completed operational
testing at Ft. Campbell, including more than 60 rigorous flight
test hours that simulated mission scenarios, air assault, combat
re-supply and transport operations.
The CH-47F helicopter features a modernized airframe, a Rockwell
Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit and a
BAE Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS).
CAAS greatly improves air crew situational awareness; and DAFCS
provides dramatically improved flight control capabilities through
features such as "hover hold," "altitude hold" and "beep down" that
improve performance and safety in brownout situations, as well as
the entire flight envelope.
Advanced avionics also incorporate improved situational
awareness for flight crews with an advanced digital map display and
a data transfer system that allows storing of preflight and mission
data. Improved survivability features include Common Missile
Warning and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser Systems. The entire
suite of improved cockpit capabilities will apply to other H-47
models.
Powered by two 4,868-horsepower Honeywell engines, the new
CH-47F can reach speeds greater than 175 mph and transport more
than 21,000 pounds. The CH-47F, with the Robertson Aviation
Extended Range Fuel System, has a mission radius of more than 400
nautical miles.