Project Description
The instantly-recognisable Chinook helicopter has been providing essential support to UK troops on operations all over the world for three decades. Our Chinook delivery team is responsible for the in-service support of the aircraft.
What is the CH47 Chinook?
The Chinook is an extremely capable and highly versatile support helicopter that can be operated from land bases or ships into a diverse range of environments – from the arctic to the jungle. The aircraft may be armed and is fitted with a suite of self-defence equipment allowing it to operate across the battlespace.
Chinooks are primarily used for trooping, resupply and battlefield casualty evacuation. The aircraft can lift a wide variety of underslung or internal freight, including vehicles. It can carry up to 55 troops or up to approximately 10 tonnes of mixed cargo.
Secondary roles include search and rescue, and supporting a wide variety of specialist tasks including the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) commitment.
The aircrafts are operated from RAF Odiham (7 Sqn, 18 Sqn & 27 Sqn) and RAF Benson (28 Sqn).
The Chinook is an extremely capable and highly versatile support helicopter that can be operated from land bases or ships into a diverse range of environments – from the arctic to the jungle.
How is the Chinook programme delivered?
The Chinook was brought into Service for the UK MOD in 1981. The departmental fleet is 60 aircraft, reducing to 51 over the next few years. It is manufactured by Boeing in Philadelphia.
The Chinook has served in numerous operational theatres and humanitarian aid missions across the globe and is a critical capability to the UK Armed Forces with a current out-of-service date of 2040.
The Capability Sustainment Programme will see 14x CH47ER aircraft purchased from the US via a Foreign Military Sale, with the first aircraft being delivered in 2027, and an agreed baseline Approved Budgetary Level of £1,478.387M. The programme will come to an end in 2029.
The total number of UK jobs associated with the Chinook programme is estimated to be around 1200, of which around 800 are with Boeing Defence UK (BDUK), the prime contractor for Chinook, and around 400 with other suppliers.
Meet the DE&S Chinook Delivery Team
Become part of the team
The Chinook delivery team is responsible for the in-service support and delivery of through life capability management of the CH47 Chinook aircraft. The portfolio includes the in-service fleet of Mk5, 6 and 6A aircraft and partial fleet re-capitalisation through acquisition of CH47ER aircraft as part of the Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme.
The team is based in MOD Abbey Wood, RAF Odiham, Vector Fleetlands, Flying Station Wattisham, Yeovil and RNAS Culdrose.
“We are a multi-functional, collaborative team who pride ourselves on delivering for the front line. Work in the team is fast paced, always busy, but always fun, and the tempo simply reflects the high demand of the platform on exercises and operations, and just how critical it is for the armed forces. Everyone in the team is hugely proud of the work they do and the capability they support.” – Tom Pink, Chinook Team Leader
