Boeing has announced that it has begun work to retrofit the first Royal Air Force Chinook HC3 helicopter to HC2 configuration.

In an episode branded "one of the most incompetent procurements of all time", eight Chinook HC3s - originally intended for Special Forces operations - have sat unused in a climate-controlled hangar since their delivery by Boeing in 2001.

The reason for the delay was the fact that the avionics software on the HC3s was not cleared to meet new UK military airworthiness standards, meaning the helicopters could not operate in their intended operational environment of below 500 feet.

RAF Chinook Fleet

In 2007 it was decided, with increasing commitments on the RAF Chinook fleet due to operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, that the HC3s should be retrofitted back to HC2 standard - complete with latest avionics and night-vision equipment - in order to help bolster the number of support helicopters available to the RAF.

At the Farnborough Airshow on Thursday, manufacturer Boeing confirmed that it had received the first HC3 and was already undertaking work to revert the helicopter to standard configuration.

The remaining seven HC3s will follow over the next few months.

Boeing said the helicopters will emerge from the 'reversion' process in May 2009, with an anticipated operational deployment later next year.

Last month a group of MPs on the Public Accounts Committee said the Ministry of Defence had made a "gold standard cock-up" in its management of the HC3 programme.

Italian Army Chinook Order

Meanwhile, at Farnborough on Wednesday the American manufacturer signed an agreement with AgustaWestland to manufacturer new CH-47F Chinook helicopters for the Italian Army.

Boeing will build the helicopters' fuselages in the US, before AgustaWestland will fit the systems and equipment.

The final contract has yet to be signed, but an Italian defence ministry official at Farnborough said Italy would sign a deal later in 2008 to acquire between 16 and 20 CH-47Fs worth 800 to 900 million euros.

Source - Armed Forces International's Aviation Expert

Recent Related News Items:

RAF Chinook -

MoD's RAF Chinook Helicopter "Cock-Up"

MoD Announces Chinook Helicopters To Be Converted