Boeing's 14th new-build Mk6 Chinook completes current UK order
The order completion coincided with the 35th anniversary of Chinook operations for the UK.
“Since they were introduced into service in 1980, our Chinook fleet has played an integral supporting role for British forces, and have been deployed on an almost continuous basis since,” said Royal Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Julian Young, Director of Helicopters in the United Kingdom’s Defence Equipment & Support organisation. “These new Mark-6 helicopters will significantly enhance our existing heavy-lift helicopter and Special Forces capability. Our overall fleet of 60 Chinooks will support our frontline troops in current and future operations for decades to come.”
The RAF has operated Chinooks in every major NATO engagement since 1980 and on virtually every continent. The service uses its Chinooks to perform troop transport, air assault and medical evacuation missions. In addition, the RAF and UK Ministry of Defence Equipment and Support have worked closely with Boeing to implement performance-based logistics initiatives to increase the readiness of Britain’s Chinook fleet. The Mk6 Chinook has a new, machined monolithic airframe, UK-specific avionics, rescue hoist and interoperable communication and navigation equipment.
"The Chinook Mk6 programme has demonstrated what can be achieved through true partnering," said David Pitchforth, managing director, Boeing Defence UK. "The whole Boeing team, reaching across the company from the US to the UK, has worked seamlessly with MoD to deliver this programme to everyone's satisfaction." BDUK manages the RAF’s entire fleet of Chinook helicopters via the through life customer support contract that supports nearly 1,000 jobs in the UK.