Australia, Singapore and South Korea are considering expanding and upgrading their Boeing CH-47 Chinook fleets in response to a surge in heavylift missions.
Industry sources say Australia may acquire up to 10 secondhand CH-47Ds in addition to upgrading six existing aircraft, while Singapore could acquire several more helicopter to support heavylift and special operations tasks.
South Korea is meanwhile evaluating mid-life upgrades for its 28 CH-47Ds, but is also considered a candidate for additional aircraft to offset the withdrawal from the country of 16 US Army Chinooks. Singapore earlier this year deployed several of its six Chinooks to Indonesia, where they helped deliver supplies following the December earthquake and tsunami.
The aircraft impressed Indonesia, which is now considering acquiring around four examples of its own (Flight International, 7-13 June). Sources say the US government has authorised the sale of excess US Army CH-47Ds to Indonesia, but it is unclear if the country will be able to allocate the required $15 million per aircraft. Indonesia and Australia are candidates for the US Army’s Cargo Helicopter Airframe Procurement Support (CHAPS) programme, which involves marketing surplus CH-47Ds made available by the army’s purchase of new CH-47Fs.
But Singapore and South Korea have expressed interest in new-build Fs, rather than secondhand aircraft. A possible Australian fleet expansion is being assessed as part of a future airlift study that began last year. Boeing believes the recent deployment of three Chinooks to Iraq proves Australia needs at least 16 aircraft, enough to cover two simultaneous deployments.
Additional aircraft may be acquired before Australia begins removing its current Chinooks from service in 2007 or 2008 for upgrades including new Honeywell T55-714A engines, BAE Systems electronic warfare equipment and HF radios. Sources say Australia has asked Boeing to provide information on options including an expanded mid-life upgrade, a CHAPS purchase or the acquisition of new-build or remanufactured Fs.
BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
