Is it the CH-47D/F Chinook?

MH-47E/G Special Operations Chinook?

Or the HH-47 CSAR-X (Combat Search and Rescue) Helicopter?

   

I think we are getting the standard F model. However, with extensive build in upgrades that both come as original options, plus some of our own goodies. At least thats what I understand based on the media hype over them over the past year or so.

   

If we knew that we would probably have a contract signed. The original intent was to purchase an upgraded F model (F+), the same model the Dutch were buying. It would be similar to the F but with an upgraded cockpit (the standard cockpit that the US is trying to implement on all helicopters isn't very good (too many comprimises)), built in long range tanks, hoist on all (not sure if that is standard on all F's), it will be partially marine'ized, has weather radar, and a few other things that I can't remember.

With Boeing winning the CSAR X contract there is rumour that we may get the CSAR X Bird, I think the only really big difference between the F + and the G model (what the CSAR X will be) is the addition of a refueling probe and a terrain following radar, stuff we really don't need.

In the end we won't know what we are getting until we get it...I just want a damned contract signed!!!

Cheers,

   

So has their been a contract signed? How many birds are we getting?

   

Haven't seen anything in the news.

   

I think you will see a combination of the CH47F/MH 47G models. Anticipate out of probably 16 birds a squadron of 8 -10 (F model) in Alberta and the remainder (MH47G) in Ontario. Other than the Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) issued early July 2006, announcing the intention to place orders for sixteen Boeing CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters not much has been made public. The medium heavy lift helicopter (MHLH) project has a staff working a number of issues including crewing and airlift rigging support.

   

The way the contract is going we might never sign it.
They are haggling over a $300M cost increase and now a $83M penalty for haggling.

We did close a deal on 6 used chinooks for delivery from the US in Feb/09 to get our men off the ground and not have them beg for a lift.(often from our own chinooks we sold off on one of our many cost cutting ventures.)

Guess US was afraid we might use some of those leased Ruskie choppers to move more than just goods... would kind of open the door to buy some really cheap transport.

   

You couldn't be more wrong.

First off, those leased Russian helos have been an option since 2006. The government then turned down leasing 6 CH-47Ds from the US, under the CHAPS program. Harper's government seemed to think they were going to the front of the line, so never bothered with them. When Boeing told sorry, you're waiting 3-6 years, thet started scrambling.

When those 6 leased CH-47s finally do get to Afghanistan, they will go into a shared pool, not used exclusviely by us. So there will still be times when our obys have to drive instead of fly...

   

Where did you get that information? Everything I've read has stated that the six Chinooks will be purchased, not leased, and as a result we will have full use of them.

It's the Russian Rustbuckets we are leasing...

   

One of the news articles posted on CKA, said all our helos would go into a common use pool, just like the US/UK/Dutch helos already there. Technically, we would get first dibs on use, but in an emergency, they could be sent to help anyone.

Technically, we are buying the CH-47Ds, with the intention of selling them after the CH-47Fs come into service. To me that's more like a lease than an outright purchase, but technically, we are buying them.

   

The "pool" is a zone of operation, so yes we will share OUR rides just like those in the same zone "Regional Command South", are sharing their's...Brits in Helmand / USA in Zabul / Dutch in Uruzgan /and Canada Kandahar.

We bought the 6 CH-47 for about 350 million cash we are renting the Russian transport for moving "hard goods" not certified for moving our troops.(bunch of B* ) half the countries in the world use those choppers.

   

Maybe half the world does (the third world maybe?), but having flown in a MI-6 and a Chinook, I have to say I felt much safer in the Boeing product by far.
Russian choppers are very third-world in every way. As in not in a good way.

We wouldn't want to lose 30 of our guys in one of these dodgy kites.

   

I am sorry but I got to say it, our country is so cheap regarding military. Will they stop haggling and give our troops something they desperatly need. Even if the war ends soon, we can still use them for peace keeping, and aid purposes so they are not a waste.

Hell we still use old American Howitzers from WW2 for artillery, just a few addons. Pretty sad.

Our Military motto should be, "If its cheap we'll buy it. If it isn't broken, it's still useable no matter how old and un-updated it is"

   

It has nothing to do with being cheap, it has to do with the fact that there are several countries ahead of us in the line-up to buy Chinooks, so it's either nothing or lease something. After two years of arguing, the DND has finally decided to do what many advocates said in the first place, lease something to give the troops something now and replace them with good kit when it finally arrives.

I don't know of any WW2 era howitzers being used by the CF anywhere (maybe Militia units train with them), but the Libs bought M-777s (brand new howitzers) for use in the Stan.

It's not so much that we buy cheap equipment (we don't), it's just that we use it for 40-50 years and by the end of its service life, equipment is hopelessly obsolete. Sadly, neither party has done much to alleviate this problem (it's been going on since the 1960s).