The Australian Army yesterday said it has temporarily suspended flying operations for the CH-47D Chinook helicopter after identifying possible issues relating to the operation of the aircraft’s Advanced Flight Control System (AFCS) in certain flight conditions.
Director General Aviation Brig. Neil Turton said the suspension was to ensure safety and is consistent with Army Operational Airworthiness procedures. “The precautionary suspension will remain in place pending technical analysis of flight data by Defence and Boeing.”
Boeing [BA], which produces the H-47 Chinook, told Defense Daily in a statement: “Boeing is supporting the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Department of Defence to complete its analysis of flight data.”
Additionally, the company stated that “With more than 800 CH-47s in operation with the U.S. and international customers, performing high-value military and humanitarian missions around the world, the flight safety record of the Chinook is well proven.”
The precautionary suspension includes the two CH-47D Chinook aircraft deployed to Afghanistan in support of ISAF operations. The two aircraft are based at Kandahar Air Field and perform combat and logistic support missions, and quick response tasks.
ISAF is currently well supported by both military and contracted rotary-wing assets. Centralization of aviation assets into the U.S. Combat Aviation Brigades allows greater redundancy, synchronization of maintenance and improved mission planning. Australia’s Rotary Wing Group is part of the U.S. 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.
“The grounding of the aircraft is not expected to have an impact on the conduct of operations,” Turton said. “Military operations staff will offset the loss of capability and re-adjust schedules and support arrangements to ensure that rotary-wing assets are prioritized in accordance with mission requirements.”
The Australian Army operates five CH-47D Chinook aircraft. Two aircraft are deployed to Afghanistan, one is in Papua New Guinea; one is on Horn Island; and the remaining aircraft is in Townsville, where the Chinook fleet is based.
The U.S. Army is currently fielding the newer CH-47F model Chinooks, with a much advanced, digital flight control system (DFACS). In March 2010, Australia signed an approximately $467 million contract with Boeing for seven CH-47F Chinooks, two simulators and spares (Defense Daily March 26, 2010).