Boeing

C Squadron of the Australian Army's 5th Aviation Regiment, based at Townsville, took delivery of two new Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopters in an acceptance and transition ceremony here today. Maj. Gen. Peter Abigail, AO, Land Commander Australia, presided over the ceremony.

The Chinooks, officially delivered to the Defense Materiel Organisation in February after final modification in Australia, join four other CH-47Ds in service since 1995 with the 5th Aviation Regiment. The Regiment transports troops, fuel and heavy equipment in support of ground force operations and has handled a variety of humanitarian and civil relief missions for the Australian Defence Forces and the United Nations in the Southwest Pacific region.

The Boeing Chinook is the world's most reliable and effective heavy-lift helicopter. Tandem rotor configuration provides exceptional lift in hot and high conditions, with useful loads up to 11,350kg (25,000 lb), and excellent controllability in conditions that curtail conventional helicopter flight. The Australian CH-47Ds are equipped with triple cargo hooks, modular hydraulics and an improved electrical system. Large external and internal load capabilities and high airspeeds allow the Chinook to do the work of three utility helicopters and give it among the lowest cost-per-ton-nautical-mile profiles available.

The Boeing Company develops and produces military rotorcraft for customers worldwide. Among its products are the CH-47 Chinook, the AH-64D Apache, the RAH-66 Comanche and the V-22 Osprey.

Boeing has been established in Australia for more than 60 years and currently has more than 3,000 employees mainly involved in defence and aerostructures businesses.

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