Boeing has delivered the final Mk. 6 Chinook of a 14 aircraft order to the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF), which brings the RAF Chinook fleet to 60 aircraft, according to a Boeing press release. The completion of the order coincided with the 35th anniversary of U.K. Chinook operations.
“These new Mk. 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.”
“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 U.K.’s Defense Equipment & Support organization. “These new Mk. 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 U.K. has operated Chinooks since 1980, flying them in every major NATO engagement and on almost every continent, according to the release. The Mk. 6 Chinook has a new machined monolithic airframe, U.K.-specific avionics, interoperable communication and navigation equipment, and a rescue hoist. The RAF uses its Chinooks for troop transport, heavy lift, air assault, and medical evacuation missions.
“As our company approaches its centennial, milestones such as this one demonstrate the significance of Boeing’s long and close partnership with the United Kingdom,” said Steve Parker, vice president, Cargo Helicopters and Boeing H-47 Chinook program manager. “The new Mk. 6 Chinooks offer the Royal Air Force a modern, capable asset for meeting its mission requirements today and well into the future.”