As part of the Government’s commitment to strengthening the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), the Department of National Defence has acquired 15 advanced, multi-mission, medium to heavy-lift helicopters, or more specifically the Canadian version of the F-model Chinook (also known as CH-147F). The delivery of Canada’s final aircraft was marked with a ceremony held at Garrison Petawawa, Ontario, on July 3.
The Canada First Defence Strategy represents a commitment by the Government of Canada to provide the CAF with the right equipment, therefore enabling CAF personnel to perform their mission of defending Canada and Canadian interests today and well into the future. New Chinook helicopters are an important part of that commitment.
Domestic roles for the Chinook helicopters focus on the provision of logistical or mobility support to Canadian Army and Special Operations Forces, other Government departments, law enforcement agencies, and other civil authorities. The Chinook is also ideally suited for fast and effective response to humanitarian emergencies such as fires, floods, and earthquakes. The versatility, impressive capacity, and long range of this helicopter make the new Chinook ideal for operations in Canada’s vast territory and demanding environment.
The value of the Chinook helicopter was highlighted by the CAF’s operational experience in Afghanistan, with the six D-model versions employed there as part of Canada’s Air Wing in Kandahar. This workhorse helicopter saved lives, and contributed significantly to mission success by rapidly transporting troops and equipment to locations that would be more dangerous or impossible to reach by ground. Today, Chinook helicopters are in high demand across the entire spectrum of contemporary military operations, from humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping, to high-tempo combat operations. Forces conducting these operations must train continuously and be prepared to deploy on short notice. Aircraft and aircrew must be available and prepared in advance to support the high levels of readiness and responsiveness required of the CAF. These Chinook helicopters are needed today to prepare for and sustain operations in the future.
When the CAF are asked to operate abroad, they can face chaotic and complex environments involving improvised explosive devices, mines, small arms fire, and other dangerous weapons. Helicopter forces are vital to supporting adaptable military operations in these environments and must be prepared to assist ground-borne forces and ensure their own continued operations under increased threats. The CH-147F has the right performance and equipment to successfully carry out this demanding mission.
These new Canadian F-model Chinooks are dramatically improved compared to the old C-models operated by the CAF in the 1970s and 1980s. They are equipped with a full range of leading-edge systems, allowing them to operate effectively in a modern theatre of operations that has also changed dramatically since the Cold War era.
- With the extended-range fuel tanks, they have more than twice the range of other F-model and previous Chinook variants.
- To defeat anti-aircraft missiles, the new Chinooks are equipped with a laser-based active missile counter-measure system, as well as a chaff and flare dispensing system.
- A radar and laser warning system alert the crew if they are being targeted, and a full armour kit provides crew and passengers with ballistic protection from small arms fire.
- The Chinook is equipped with three defensive machine guns: two forward door guns and one on the aft ramp.
- A state-of-the-art Electro-Optical/Infra-Red sensor allows the helicopter to operate effectively in very low light or reduced visibility conditions.
In addition to robust self-defence equipment, additional tactical procedures are followed to further mitigate threats that may be encountered. For example, the Chinooks can be flown with armed escort aircraft, and can use deception techniques in a wide range of day or night operations, all of which make this Chinook an ideal helicopter in a broad spectrum of demanding theatres.
When comparing the lift capabilities of the Chinook with the one of the CH-146 Griffon helicopter: With a lifting capability of 20,000 lbs, the Chinook actually has the ability to carry (or sling) the entire weight of a Griffon. The Chinook will carry 33 fully equipped combat troops and its crew, or 11,363 kilograms of cargo. The Griffon on the other hand, is a light utility/reconnaissance platform that will normally carry less than 10 people including its crew. These two aircraft will complement each other in a balanced aviation team on future missions and operations; the Chinook brings a whole new rotary wing capability to the CAF.
In support of the new fleet of Chinook aircraft, Garrison Petawawa has benefitted from infrastructure projects to construct a new hangar for maintenance, operational storage, and logistics. Also included is the construction of a new ramp and taxiway, new utility services and roads, aviation petroleum, oil and lubricant facility (AVPOL), and a fenced-in parking area. This construction is currently complete with secondary roads and back-up utilities scheduled to be completed by spring 2016.
