LONDON – Boeing has delivered the 20th CH-47F Chinook to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), concluding the country’s latest fleet update.
“Our continuing partnership with the Royal Netherlands Air Force exemplifies the value of a modern and versatile Chinook fleet,” said Ken Eland, vice president and H-47 program manager.
“These state-of-the art aircraft will significantly improve their defense and humanitarian assistance capabilities.”
The Netherlands is one of eight NATO countries to operate the Chinook and has fielded the aircraft continuously since receiving its first CH-47D models in 1995.
In 2016, the RNLAF purchased14 new CH-47F Chinooks through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Foreign Military Sales program.
In 2017, the RNLAF signed an agreement to upgrade their remaining six D-model Chinook helicopters to the latest F-model configuration, ensuring commonality of systems for their entire 20-aircraft fleet.
“This is a milestone for us. We have newer radios and newer equipment which help our pilots operate better in different environments than we do already,” said LTC Wil van Rijn, senior system integrator of the Chinook, Dutch Ministry of Defence.
The CH-47F Chinook
The CH-47F Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter containing a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system compatible with Common Avionics Architecture System.
Its advanced cargo-handling capabilities further complement the aircraft’s mission performance and handling characteristics. With a legacy running back just over 60 years, today’s Chinook doesn’t look a great deal different to its predecessors.
On its 60th anniversary in September 2101, Boeing recalled the past six decades of the marques development:
Retired pilot Herman Richardson, who flew Chinooks for the U.S. Army and later worked at Boeing, recalls when Chinooks had only a fraction of their current power. Looking back at his service during the Vietnam War era, Richardson said, “We couldn’t fly them the way we do now.”
Over his career, Richardson had a front-row seat for the Chinook’s evolution. He flew all versions of the Chinook as it progressed from models A through G, and he witnessed the rotorcraft’s power become its greatest attribute.
“It was a joy ever since,” he said. “There’s not a better aircraft to fly than Chinook.”
About Boeing
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
Boeing’s H-47 Chinook program supports more than 20,000 jobs and 360 suppliers in 40 states, and is relied on by the U.S. Army and 19 other countries around the globe.
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