The first upgraded CH-47F Chinook helicopter has been delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force from Boeing’s Philadelphia production facility. Credit: Fred Troilo, Boeing photo.

Boeing has delivered the first CH-47F Chinook with an upgraded cockpit to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF).

The RNLAF will operate a fleet of 20 Chinooks helicopters, the newest configuration used by countries globally. The Netherlands is one of the eight Nato countries to operate the heavy-lift helicopter.

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In December 2017, Boeing was contracted to upgrade the RNLAF fleet of Chinook helicopters.

Delivery of the first helicopter has been carried out according to the schedule and is expected to continue into 2021.

H-47 programme manager Andy Builta said: “The RNLAF made it clear to us that they need the advanced, proven capability of the CH-47F now.

“I want to thank our phenomenal team for working hard during a difficult situation to safely deliver these aircraft.”

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The helicopters once upgraded, will feature the same technology as the US Army.

This will include digital automatic flight controls, a fully integrated Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) glass cockpit, as well as advanced cargo handling capabilities.

The common configuration of the helicopters will help lower overall lifecycle costs.

Currently, the fleet of the RNLAF includes a combination of F-model Chinooks with the Advanced Cockpit Management System (ACMS) and CH-47D Chinooks.

Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation Colonel Koen van Gogh said: “It has been a pleasure to work closely together with the US Army and Boeing teams to achieve this milestone.

“The Chinook helicopter is a vital asset for our missions and the in-time delivery certainly supports our operational planning.

“I salute the Boeing workforce for their continued efforts to make this happen in these troubling times, as well as the US Army officials that helped keep us on track.”

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