Boeing has delivered the 15th CH-147F medium-to-heavy-lift helicopter to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), closing supplies under a contract signed in 2009.
Deliveries of the CH-147F began in June last year and have been completed ahead of schedule.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Boeing was awarded a $1.2bn contract in August 2009 to build 15 helicopters and provide initial in-service support set-up. The contract was amended in June 2013 for the company to provide the first five years of 20-year in-service support.
The Chinook helicopter allows the air force to operate in remote and isolated areas, and is primarily used for the transport of equipment and personnel during domestic and deployed operations.
Canadian Medium Heavy Lift Helicopter Project Management Office programme manager colonel Andrew Fleming said the medium-to-heavy-lift helicopter project is making a commendable contribution to the Canada First Defence Strategy.
"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," Fleming said.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe helicopters are operated by the RCAF’s 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, under the command of 1 Wing Kingston based at CFB Petawawa in Ontario.
Boeing Cargo Helicopters vice-president and H-47 programme manager Steve Parker said: "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 Canadian CH-147F is designed to have an advanced airframe, a long-range fuel system and an upgraded electrical system.
The helicopter’s fully integrated common avionics architecture system cockpit and digital automatic flight control systems reduce pilot workload and provide greater situational awareness.
An advanced aircraft survivability equipment suite, comprising a directional infrared countermeasures system, enhances crew safety while enabling operations to be conducted in a wider range of threat environments.
Image: A Canadian CH-147F Chinook helicopter lands at Boeing’s aerospace manufacturing facility near Philadelphia, US. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.
