Boeing has selected three Canadian firms to receive the first group of work packages for inservice support of 15 Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters, designated CH-147F for the Canadian Forces. Following an open competition, Boeing chose the following suppliers: L-3 Communications MAS (Mirabel, Quebec): technical publications; Raytheon Canada Limited (Calgary, Alberta): supply chain support; L-3 Electronic Systems (Enfield, Nova Scotia): logistics support analysis.

“Boeing is working with companies across Canada to ensure the right infrastructure is in place to support the Canadian Forces’ CH-147F fleet,” said Jim O’Neill, Vice President and General Manager, Boeing Integrated Logistics. “We will support the operational readiness of these Chinooks while managing overall life-cycle cost and providing long-term opportunities for the Canadian aerospace industry and workforce.”

Through Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy, Boeing’s IRB commitments on the Medium-to-Heavy Lift Helicopter In-Service Support Programme will bring benefits of approximately $2 billion to Canada over a 20-year period.

In August 2009, the Government of Canada announced it would acquire 15 CH-47F Chinooks to address the Canadian Forces medium-to-heavy lift helicopter requirement. Production of the fleet is under way at Boeing’s facility at Ridley Township, Pennsylvania. Delivery of CH-147Fs to the main operating base at Petawawa, Ontario, will begin in 2013.

The Canadian CH-147F Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter that features a modernised airframe with a long-range fuel system, fully integrated digital cockpit management system, common avionics architecture system cockpit, self-protection system, improved electrical systems and advanced cargo-handling capabilities. Life-cycle support of these aircraft will be delivered through a long-term Performance Based Logistics (PBL) programme that will provide full system logistics and training services.