bobdina
11-05-2009, 06:36 PM
THEN a rocket propelled grenade slammed into a Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter over the badlands of Afghanistan, it had the potential to be a disaster story.
At risk of crashing in a hostile area of Helmand province, on fire and fast losing power, the crew and soldiers on board could have been just a few seconds from death – had the aircraft not been fitted with a lifesaving upgrade.
The Boeing Chinook was one of seven to have recently received the new Honeywell 714 engine – which produces up to 20 per cent more power than its predecessor – giving the pilots the lift to fly away from
the threat before crash landing without any loss of life.
“A rocket propelled grenade hit is dreadful and these must have been tense moments for the crew as they realised what had happened,” said Defence Procurement Minister Quentin Davies during a visit to RAF Odiham in Hampshire.
“However, the pilots were still able to fly away from the danger area and this is a dramatic illustration of the difference that this new engine can make.”
The power plant is being rolled out across the 38-strong Chinook fleet and is one of two innovations which promise to give soldiers more protection and better reach as they move to engage Taliban fighters across southern Afghanistan.
In the second deal, defence contractor Thales is supplying digital “glass” cockpits, which will bolster the performance of the aircraft when flying at night. The two initiatives, which come at a cost of more than £400 million, will be fitted under normal maintenance cycles with the job expected to be completed in the near future.
The upgrades give the iconic helicopter a capability far beyond its original design. A veteran of the Vietnam War, where the aircraft was used to move American troops in and out of the jungles of South-East Asia, the airframe has seen constant changes since its introduction to UK forces in 1981.
In an interview with Soldier, Gp Capt Andrew Turner, UK Chinook Force commander, confirmed the latest refinements would bring key benefits to troops. “The aircraft has been hugely enhanced since the first version flew in the 1960s, to the extent that the only thing that remains the same is the silhouette,” he added.
“The introduction of the Honeywell 714 engine and the digital cockpit means that we can get a lot further forward in Afghanistan and get the troops onto the ground more safely. The new equipment will increase the lift capability, broaden safety margins when they are heavy, reduce operating costs and equip the aircraft through to its out-of-service date.”
Gp Capt Turner, who is also the station commander at RAF Odiham, said that his personnel were working at the edge of their capability, enduring testing and dangerous flying conditions in theatre.
“We are involved in a very long and dangerous campaign in Afghanistan with some of the most difficult aviation operations the UK has ever conducted,” he added. “We are flying both day and night and through dust clouds. During pretty much every sortie you are shot at – you have to expect that.”
Flt Lt Rich Elford, who serves with Odiham-based 27 Squadron, said: “The new engines are a very positive step forward and a major improvement over what we have, while the cockpit will allow us to deliver a greater footprint on ops at night.
“Obviously this is important with what has been going on in Op Herrick. In Afghanistan we have been going into the hotbeds and engaging in more difficult areas – if you poke a stick into a hornets’ nest they will try and sting you.”
Sgt Greg Wainer, a Chinook loadmaster, said: “I served in Afghanistan in 2008 and it was not unknown for aircraft to get hit back then.
“You don’t see it so much in the day, but at night you see the tracer lighting up, particularly as you enter a known point of contact.”
The latest upgrades will prove a vital weapon in an ever more testing Op Herrick campaign. New equipment provides the opportunity to develop tactics and, with more range and better night vision, there is plenty of scope to enhance the scale
and depth of British and multinational ground actions.
“The Chinook is the cornerstone of our helicopter support in Afghanistan,” explained Quentin Davies. “The improvements will increase its capability and ensure it can play an even more valuable role in supporting our forces and Nato allies.”
At risk of crashing in a hostile area of Helmand province, on fire and fast losing power, the crew and soldiers on board could have been just a few seconds from death – had the aircraft not been fitted with a lifesaving upgrade.
The Boeing Chinook was one of seven to have recently received the new Honeywell 714 engine – which produces up to 20 per cent more power than its predecessor – giving the pilots the lift to fly away from
the threat before crash landing without any loss of life.
“A rocket propelled grenade hit is dreadful and these must have been tense moments for the crew as they realised what had happened,” said Defence Procurement Minister Quentin Davies during a visit to RAF Odiham in Hampshire.
“However, the pilots were still able to fly away from the danger area and this is a dramatic illustration of the difference that this new engine can make.”
The power plant is being rolled out across the 38-strong Chinook fleet and is one of two innovations which promise to give soldiers more protection and better reach as they move to engage Taliban fighters across southern Afghanistan.
In the second deal, defence contractor Thales is supplying digital “glass” cockpits, which will bolster the performance of the aircraft when flying at night. The two initiatives, which come at a cost of more than £400 million, will be fitted under normal maintenance cycles with the job expected to be completed in the near future.
The upgrades give the iconic helicopter a capability far beyond its original design. A veteran of the Vietnam War, where the aircraft was used to move American troops in and out of the jungles of South-East Asia, the airframe has seen constant changes since its introduction to UK forces in 1981.
In an interview with Soldier, Gp Capt Andrew Turner, UK Chinook Force commander, confirmed the latest refinements would bring key benefits to troops. “The aircraft has been hugely enhanced since the first version flew in the 1960s, to the extent that the only thing that remains the same is the silhouette,” he added.
“The introduction of the Honeywell 714 engine and the digital cockpit means that we can get a lot further forward in Afghanistan and get the troops onto the ground more safely. The new equipment will increase the lift capability, broaden safety margins when they are heavy, reduce operating costs and equip the aircraft through to its out-of-service date.”
Gp Capt Turner, who is also the station commander at RAF Odiham, said that his personnel were working at the edge of their capability, enduring testing and dangerous flying conditions in theatre.
“We are involved in a very long and dangerous campaign in Afghanistan with some of the most difficult aviation operations the UK has ever conducted,” he added. “We are flying both day and night and through dust clouds. During pretty much every sortie you are shot at – you have to expect that.”
Flt Lt Rich Elford, who serves with Odiham-based 27 Squadron, said: “The new engines are a very positive step forward and a major improvement over what we have, while the cockpit will allow us to deliver a greater footprint on ops at night.
“Obviously this is important with what has been going on in Op Herrick. In Afghanistan we have been going into the hotbeds and engaging in more difficult areas – if you poke a stick into a hornets’ nest they will try and sting you.”
Sgt Greg Wainer, a Chinook loadmaster, said: “I served in Afghanistan in 2008 and it was not unknown for aircraft to get hit back then.
“You don’t see it so much in the day, but at night you see the tracer lighting up, particularly as you enter a known point of contact.”
The latest upgrades will prove a vital weapon in an ever more testing Op Herrick campaign. New equipment provides the opportunity to develop tactics and, with more range and better night vision, there is plenty of scope to enhance the scale
and depth of British and multinational ground actions.
“The Chinook is the cornerstone of our helicopter support in Afghanistan,” explained Quentin Davies. “The improvements will increase its capability and ensure it can play an even more valuable role in supporting our forces and Nato allies.”