January 2007

The Chinook has cemented its impressive reputation both commercially and militarily as one of the world’s most reliable and robust helicopters for transport and lift. First introduced in 1962, the Chinook provides considerable troop/medivac transport capabilities and is capable of lifting heavy loads such as howitzers and vehicles.

By no means was a stranger to service in the Canadian Forces, the Chinook deployed into service in 1974 with the arrival of the first of eight platforms purchased by the military, colloquially designated as the CH-147. Yet, in 1991, with the Cold War threat dying-out and the country’s fiscal situation in serious-trouble, the Mulroney government sold all of the platforms to the Netherlands.

It would not be until the Afghanistan mission in 2002 where the need for the Canadian Forces to have its own medium-lift helicopter capability would be highlighted. Ironically, the Canadian Forces have hitched rides with CH-47s deployed to the region by the Netherlands – no doubt the same helicopters which just a decade before were owned by Canada.

The Canadian Forces is (re-)acquiring a medium-lift helicopter primarily so that ground troops can reach remote areas which are inaccessible by fixed-wing aircraft and ground-based vehicles. Such is the case in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions where local Canadian forces must use allied helicopters – if and when they are available – to hunt the enemy that retreat into these hard-to-reach areas. The rationale behind having its own fleet of helicopters is that the operations of the military are not limited to the schedule of our allies-in-theatre.

It was clear from the beginning – indeed for years before the announcement even came – that the Canadian Forces intended on purchasing the Chinook to fulfill this badly-needed capability. In order to get the platforms into service as fast as possible, the contract specifications were designed so that the only aircraft that could meet the requirements in full was the Chinook (essentially, the contract is being ‘single-sourced’ to the preferred supplier of the military). Those requirements include having enough cabin space to accommodate thirty soldiers with full combat equipment; being able to lift multiple loads at the same time, including a lightweight field howitzer (such as the M777 howitzer recently acquired for use in Afghanistan); a minimum range of 100 kilometres at maximum loading in various climatic conditions; and the ability to operate in altitudes of up to 1,220 metres.

A total of sixteen (16) helicopters will be procured under this contract, representing the absolute minimum viable fleet size determined by the Canadian Forces (though documents released by the Medium-to-Heavy-Lift-Helicopter Project team indicate a preferred eventual fleet size of thirty-five (35) aircraft). The contract value is estimated at $2 billion for the acquisition of the platforms, and a further $2.7 billion for a 20-year support contract. Some critics have noted that there will be little benefit to Canadian industry as the helicopters will be purchased directly from Boeing plants in the United States; however, the support contract will likely involve local Canadian companies as is done with other American-built aircraft in the Canadian Air Force (such as the Hornet fighter jet fleet).

The fleet will be based out of CFB Petawawa (main operating base) and CFB Edmonton (so that they can support the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Center in Wainwright, Alberta). It is expected that this deployment plan will provide the Canadian Forces with the ability to provide timely response to national emergencies in both the Eastern and Western regions of the country.

In addition to its battlefield duties, the fleet will provide search and rescue support within Canada and assist in emergency response to disasters such as floods, forest fires, and earthquakes (general aid to the civil power duties). The helicopter is also intended to operate from the future Joint Support Ship, both in re-supplying missions and in support of littoral operations (especially if the Canadian Forces proceeds with the acquisition of an amphibious warfare ship).

The Chinooks are a slow-moving, large target for enemy anti-aircraft fire. To mitigate this problem as best possible, the Americans, for example, use attack helicopters to provide escort (and thus a significant boost in defensive capability). Attack helicopters are currently not an option in the Canadian Forces, leading to a plan by the Department of National Defence to explore converting some Griffon tactical-lift helicopters. The Griffon, which is a militarized version of the popular civilian Bell 412, would receive extensive upgrades to electronics, sensors, and a noticeable increase in armament.

The estimated delivery date for the first aircraft has been set at 36 months following the award of the contract (expected in 2007), with the final aircraft due 60 months after award. It is expected that the fleet will be in service by 2010. Media reports cite that discussions are currently underway between the Department of National Defence and United States military to allow Canada to “cut-into-line” and take ownership of Chinook helicopters currently being built for the United States. There is hope that such an agreement is possible given that the United States has expressed, albeit unofficially, interest in making Canada more self-sustained in the areas of tactical- and strategic-lift so that it can free up its own fleet in Afghanistan for other duties.

August 10, 2009 Update: The Government of Canada has signed a contract with Boeing for the acquisition of 15 CH-47F Chinooks. The contract is valued at $1.2 billion for the capital acquisition and $2.2 billion for the 20-year support and maintenance contract.

Specifications:

source: United States Army; Boeing (note that these specifications are only representative and should not be taken as the official specifications for the aircraft that will be purchased by the Canadian Forces).

Performance
Maximum Speed: 315 kph
Range: 2,060 km
Service Ceiling: 2,590 m
Rate of Climb: 10.1 m/s

General Characteristics
Crew: 3
Capacity – troops: 33 troops
Capacity – medical: 24 litters
Length: 30.1 m
Rotor Diameter: 18.3 m
Height: 5.7 m
Empty Weight: 10,185 kg
Loaded weight: 12,100 kg
Max takeoff weight: 22,680 kg

Engines (x2)
Type: T55-GA-714 turboshafts
Rating: 5,069 hp (2,800 kW)

For Further Information: Medium-to-Heavy-Lift-Helicopter Project (DND)

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 26th, 2007 at 9:50 am and is filed under Air Force, Army, Procurement.