PICCIE: The first Dutch Luchtmacht CH-47F flew...

[Stratofreighter]

Title edited...



piccie

http://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2 ... _succesvol

TRANSLATION http://translate.google.com/#

Eerste vlucht nieuwe Chinook succesvol
26 januari 2011, 11.39 uur

Op het testterrein van Boeing Helicopters in Philadelphia is gisteren een succesvolle eerste vlucht met de nieuwe Nederlandse Chinook (CH-47F (NL)) gemaakt.

Het betreft een nieuwe variant van de middelzware transporthelikopter, waarvan Defensie er in totaal 6 koopt.

De veelzijdig inzetbare ‘F’, is een aanvulling op de huidige D-modellen en niet alleen geschikt voor tactisch transport van personeel en goederen, maar ook beter toegerust voor special forces operaties.

De Defensie Materieel Organisatie draagt, als de testperiode volgens planning verloopt, aan het einde van dit jaar het eerste toestel over aan de luchtmacht.

De overige toestellen volgen daarna binnen een halfjaar.

Als de uitbreiding van de Chinook-vloot is voltooid, beschikt Nederland over 17 Chinooks.

Daarmee wordt tegemoet gekomen aan de wensen voor uitbreiding en versterking van transportcapaciteit door de lucht.

Verschil

Behalve het kleurschema - grijs in plaats van groen - en het onderhoudsvriendelijke airframe, is het merendeel van de verschillen tussen de modellen F en D van operationeel technische aard.

Zo beschikt de nieuwe variant over een verbeterde cockpit.

Met behulp van een digitaal automatisch vliegsysteem kan de vlieger nog secuurder en veiliger vliegen onder moeilijke omstandigheden, zoals het landen in een stoffige of zanderige omgeving.

De ‘F’ kan met een Forward Looking Infrared de omgevingssituatie nog beter in kaart brengen.

Daarnaast zijn ze uitgerust met 5 fastrope-posities, een zelfbeschermingssysteem en betere bewapening.

Bij de ontwikkeling is rekening gehouden met eventuele toekomstige uitbreidingen en verbeteringen, zoals de verdediging tegen vijandige raketten.

[ebauer]

Not bad at all!

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... rtxt=1004W

[AK01]

Probably easy to answer, but i can't find it on the net.
Why have the dutch F's been delayed for years? The UAE ordered four in 2009 and got everything delivered by the end of 2010.
Is there a special modification on the dutch F's which caused this delay?

[SquAdmin]

I believe it had something to do with the cockpit, which differs from the other Chinooks.

[Stefan]

Boeing press release:
Ridley Township, Pa., Jan. 26, 2011 -- Representatives of Boeing [NYSE: BA], its suppliers and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence marked the first flight of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) CH-47F (NL) Chinook heavy-lift helicopter in a ceremony Jan. 25 at Summit Aviation in Middletown, Del.

The aircraft made its first flight on Dec. 8 and is scheduled to complete its flight test program in August after approximately 100 flight hours. There are two aircraft in flight test.

The RNLAF has ordered six CH-47F (NL) Chinooks to enhance its current fleet of 11 CH-47D (NL) aircraft. The new Chinooks are equipped with survivability equipment, a forward-looking infrared system, and fast rope positions, which will be used to support Special Forces operations. The engines will include air particle separators for operation in harsh environments. These additions will make the RNLAF CH-47F a versatile, multi-role aircraft for worldwide operations.

Boeing expects to begin delivering the aircraft later this year, making the RNLAF the first international customer to field the new CH-47F.

The flight tests have included assessments of the advanced operational capabilities enabled by the aircraft’s Avionics Control and Management System cockpit and newly integrated Digital Automatic Flight Control System. By the conclusion of the tests, the aircraft will be certified airworthy by the Netherlands Military Aviation Authority.

“The Chinook has over the years proven itself to be a true workhorse for the Netherlands Air Force,” said Air Commodore Theo ten Haaf, Commanding Officer Defence Helicopter Command of the RNLAF. “The aircraft proved to be 'the right tool’ for a difficult and challenging job, especially in austere environments and during the combined air and ground operations in Afghanistan. Both ground troops and aircrew speak highly of it.”

He added, “The CH-47F is a major improvement over the 47D model. The arrival of these new aircraft in the RNLAF will ensure that the RNLAF continues to operate with the best in the field of tactical transport helicopter operations both now and in the future.”

“Our goal is to use available technology to provide customers with the best solutions while enabling long-term sustainability,” said Leanne Caret, H-47 Programs vice president for Boeing. “We have a long-standing relationship with the Netherlands and this new aircraft is another example of our focus on providing advanced solutions to meet our customers’ growing demands.”

The Netherlands MOD and Boeing also are evaluating a potential upgrade of the current CH-47D (NL) Chinook fleet to the new CH-47F (NL) configuration.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 66,000 employees worldwide.

[frank kramer]

When comparing the posts of AK01 and Stefan, there's one thing I can't figure out. AK01 says the UAE had their new F-model Wokkas delivered in 2010, the Boeing Press statement quoted by Stefan gives the RNLAF as the first international customer to field the new CH-47F when they are delivered this year. Clearly, both cannot be right at the same time. I do not keep up with Chinook deliveries, but can anyone confirm/deny that the UAE actually got F's (or did they get D's?)?

[AK01]

When comparing the posts of AK01 and Stefan, there's one thing I can't figure out. AK01 says the UAE had their new F-model Wokkas delivered in 2010, the Boeing Press statement quoted by Stefan gives the RNLAF as the first international customer to field the new CH-47F when they are delivered this year. Clearly, both cannot be right at the same time. I do not keep up with Chinook deliveries, but can anyone confirm/deny that the UAE actually got F's (or did they get D's?)?

Frank,
Last Scramble magazine list 4 serials for the UAE F's ,2503,2509,2512 and 2515, these are ex N851RS/852RS/854RS and 856RS (no tie up know so far). These N registrations were cancelled somewhere Q4 2010. I'd therefore conclude that they have been delivered which might be a wrong conclusion.
But the N registrations of our Dutch F's are still active in the FAA register.
The deliveries /orders for those 4 F,s have always been kept out of the press, Boeing usually refered to this order as "an undisclosed middle east customer" who ordered 4 and took an option on 12 more. On the other had the follow on order for 12 F models in 2009 was in every press release, this might also explain why Boeing refers to the Dutch F's as the first International customer. I believe Johan of the Scramble magazine might have some more info on this subject?
Pieter,

[visser]

Nice squadron badge on the tail.
Aloha,
Eibert

[S&B extra]

Text from old Aviationweek story below, statements from AK01 are pretty much correct. The four UAE F's might be in country but could be in CONUS for crew training as well.

The six KLu CH-47Fs seem to be:
N1004W M8890
N1074E M8891
N1098X M8892
N1122R M8893
N1149Z M8894
N1154T M8895

Mentioned earlier are the UAE Fs known so far (local serials 2503, 2509, 2512 and 2515, no tieup):
N851RS M8870
N852RS M8871
N854RS M8872
N856RS M8873
Followed by M8874 to M8889 = 16 a/c could be the follow on order for UAE.
US Army c/ns for CH-47Fs are different (example: 09-08059/08062 c/n M8059/M8062)

Boeing Signs CH-47F Multiyear Deal Aug 26, 2008

Boeing has signed a five-year procurement contract, potentially worth $4.3 billion, to produce up to 215 CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopters for the U.S. Army.

This first multiyear contract for the modernized F-model Chinook will save more than $449 million over annual procurement, according to Jack Dougherty, Boeing vice-president for H-47 programs.

The basic, five-year contract covers 181 helicopters, plus 10 additional CH-47Fs funded under the fiscal 2008 supplemental budget. The contract includes options for another 24 Chinooks. Deliveries will begin in January 2009.

Two-thirds of the helicopters - up to 123 aircraft - will be new-build platforms, says Army Lt. Col Thomas Todd, CH-47F program manager. Original plans to remanufacture CH-47Ds to F standard were changed to incorporate substantially new airframes, but an increasing proportion of the planned total of 513 modernized Chinooks will now be newly built. “We have made a leap forward in the number of new aircraft,” he said.

Boeing is already building the first of six CH-47Fs for the Netherlands and has signed a contract with an unidentified Middle Eastern customer for four helicopters, Dougherty said, with options for another 16. Dutch deliveries will begin next summer, with helicopters being delivered to the unidentified customer in late 2009 or early 2010.

Dougherty says Boeing delivered its proposal to Canada in July for 16 CH-47F variants. Another proposal was delivered to Italy in early August, jointly with AgustaWestland, for four new-build Chinooks plus options for 16 more. These “Italianised” F models would be assembled by AgustaWestland.

Foreign military sales discussions are also under way with Turkey. Dougherty said the international CH-47D fleet is not yet old enough to need modernization, so most talks are with customers who do not operate Chinooks.

The Army says the contract has enabled Boeing to enter long-term agreements for specialty metals, including titanium, which have reduced the lead time for new-built aircraft by six months. Multiyear procurement will also provide production stability and pricing benefits for other Chinook customers, said Dougherty.

Multiyear procurement authority became contentious again on Capitol Hill in recent years as lawmakers debated the strategy. Some lawmakers contend that multiyear contracting gives up government oversight and leverage while others defend it for saving taxpayer money - no matter the amount. After a contentious debate over F-22 Raptor multiyear authority - where Lockheed Martin supporters won despite opposition of Senate Armed Services Committee leaders from both parties - Congress recently reinstated a requirement for at least a 10 percent savings of total costs versus use of annual contracts (Aerospace Daily, Dec. 2007).