Defense Technology International - April 2008 - (Page 31) five-year contract with the Army to deliver 181 F-model aircraft starting in Fiscal 2009, at a rate of approximately 36 per year, according to Eland. The CH-47F and MH-47G models have much in common, but are far from identical. Obvious di erences on the special operations version are the inflight refueling capability, terrain-avoidance radar and long-range “fat” tank. These features drive the location of many other components, says Eland. “Both models have two blended EGIs (embedded GPS/ INS units), but these are located in different places on each aircraft. Both have CAAS, but the processing units are in di erent locations. So component-wise, there is quite a lot of di erence, which we have to manage on the production line as F and G models are built right next to each other.” Aircraft for the Netherlands, known as CH-47F (NL) models, are also different. The most important change is that they do not have CAAS but will instead be fitted with Honeywell’s avionics control and management system glass cockpit. To manage this, the Dutch aircraft will be assembled on an “o shoot line” where extra attention can be given to non-standard items without holding up the main Army production line. The first jig load for the Netherlands was initiated on Mar. 5, and deliveries of the six new-build aircraft are scheduled for 2009 (five) and 2010 (one). “We’ve been able to maintain the relevance of the platform since the 1960s,” says Eland. “It is right at the forefront of operations in crisis, combat and humanitarian aid missions. With the F model, the Chinook will be even more relevant.” Eland cites a number of major operational improvements to the aircraft. “The CH-47F is a networkcentric platform, tied into the wider battlefield information grid and equipped with situation awareness enablers such as an advanced digital map display and Blue Force tracking. From the perspective of communications and information exchange, it has robust capabilities including the improved data modem for digital text messaging and data sharing.” Rather than the conventional gyro-based navigation systems in the Boeing has orders for 88 new and remanufactured CH-47F helicopters, and is negotiating for 181 more. AviationWeek.com/dti CH-47D, the F model has blended EGI systems, which represents a significant change in how pilots drive the aircraft. The F model is equipped with two Textron-Lycoming T55-714 engines, which in terms of power are “just about equivalent in hot and high conditions to the previous T55-712 engines at sea level.” As a result of the aircraft’s tandem rotor system, “all of the power of the engines is used for lift, as there is no need to drive a tail rotor for torque control,” Eland says. But he admits that compared to the CH-47D, the F model does not o er better lift capacity, as the aircraft’s empty weight has gone up. One innovation is low-speed flying. “The new digital automatic flight-control system and low-speed control laws represent a real change in how we do low-speed control,” Eland remarks. “We have a hover display page in CAAS that the pilots can pull up that shows an X in the spot where they want to be and velocity vectors when they’re drifting away from it. The F model o ers a hover-hold capability and the pilot in control can use a six-directional beep function, which is basically a pushbutton that allows him to ‘beep’ the helo one foot forward or aft, one foot left or right, or one foot up and down with a single command.” Eland adds that when these features are used together, they greatly improve the ability of the pilots to control the descent and landing of an aircraft in limited-visibility situations, such as a brown-out or a white-out when landing in sand or snow. I To read more on “Next Big Step” Chinook upgrades, go to DTI's homepage, AviationWeek.com/dti and click on “Extras for this issue” under “DTI Interactive.” BOEING APRIL 2008 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 31 http://AviationWeek.com/dti http://AviationWeek.com/dti
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