spike7451 Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 (edited) The first of the Chinook Mk 3 helicopters bound for Afghanistan have arrived at a military base in Hampshire after an eight-year delay.The two helicopters - refitted by Boeing at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire - were unveiled at RAF Odiham. The Chinooks, bought in 1995 for £259m, could not be used because they did not meet airworthiness regulations. Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said they would give an uplift in capability to support "coalition efforts". Mr Ainsworth added: "I am delighted that the first of the Mk 3s are now joining the Chinook fleet. "By the end of this year we expect to have all eight of these refitted aircraft in service, increasing our Chinook fleet to 46 aircraft." Software problem At the end of last year, he revealed the government planned to purchase 22 more Chinooks. The Commander of Joint Helicopter Command, Rear Adm Tony Johnstone-Burt said: "These aircraft will be vital in helping us expand our ability to train our crews and to support operations. "They really will make a difference." When the helicopters were delivered by Boeing (which had met its contractual obligations) to the MoD in December 2001, it was discovered that the avionics' software was unable to meet UK regulations. The entire cockpit had to be refitted to meet British requirements. In 2004, the Committee of Public Accounts described the original purchase of the Chinooks as "one of the worst examples of equipment procurement" that it had seen. The refitted helicopters, which are considered vital to operations in Helmand, also have extended-range fuel tanks and more powerful engines - enabling them to lift heavier weights. The government has come under heavy pressure in recent months over the number of heavy-lift helicopters in Helmand. Conservative leader David Cameron has previously called the shortage "a scandal". The BBC's Robert Hall takes a ride on a Chinook helicopter adapted for use in Afghanistan.The machine, the first of eight to be adapted, was unveiled at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. The helicopters will carry troops after being grounded for more than eight years because of software problems. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8457783.stm The first of eight Chinook helicopters converted for use in Afghanistan have been unveiled at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.The helicopters which will carry troops, had been grounded for more than eight years because of software problems. The BBC's Robert Hall has taken a tour of the aircraft. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8457565.stm Edited January 13, 2010 by spike7451 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Good. If they save the lives of a few soldier types, it's good news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Remember the £50 plus mil a pop is taken up by an large by Wez's pay packet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalguru Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 This thread could go very Pete Tong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 At least they will finally get where needed and it will free up valuable storage hangar space for the F-35 when we get them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike7451 Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 This thread could go very Pete Tong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomPhreakII Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 8 frigging years delayed? 8 frigging years delayed? 8 frigging years delayed? 8 frigging years delayed? R U KIDDING ME??? Harald ps good thing they are in working order now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 8 frigging years delayed?8 frigging years delayed? 8 frigging years delayed? 8 frigging years delayed? R U KIDDING ME??? Harald ps good thing they are in working order now errm yes and no, they had to de-mod them back to an earlier standard, so the use they were originally purchased for they still cannot or ever will fulfill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Dan~ Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Makes you proud to be British. When you think that WWII only lasted 5 years, and think how much technology they were able to develop and turn out during this time. Now it takes 8 years to bring a 40 year old helicopter... up to almost modern day standards, and then de-modernize it again. That's progress for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armadillos Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Looking at that cockpit shot of the HC3 i have to ask are they even upto HC2 standard as i could of sworen that HC2`s had a few few MFD`s in the cockpit whereas the HC3 in the film appear to be all analogue?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hacker Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 couldnt be any dumber then our canadian government. we had chinooks and then the governmemt at the time decided we did not need them as there will be no war for us to fight in the near future and sold them to the dutch. fast forward almost twenty years later we are buying them back again from the US Army who in turns wants to buy the up to date version while though cheaper we have to have our new ones brought up to standards. So our twenty years beats your eight lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emlra Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Does it take 8 years to process an expenses claim? I guess not! Wrong software/pilot error/wrong software/defence cuts/wrong software/still pilot error/ wrong software /bonus/ wrong software/ 8 years/ wrong software/ pension now due/ wrong software/ some one else's problem/ wrong software/ whitewash!/ heads rolling............................ bet they don't. Does that number of 'new' wokka wokkas include the one that rolled into Southampton Dock on delivery? Rex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Looking at that cockpit shot of the HC3 i have to ask are they even upto HC2 standard as i could of sworen that HC2`s had a few few MFD`s in the cockpit whereas the HC3 in the film appear to be all analogue?? The HC2s had no MFDs. Does that number of 'new' wokka wokkas include the one that rolled into Southampton Dock on delivery?Rex Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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