http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/78592
加拿大與西科斯基尚未就CH-148合同執行達成一致
2012-11-01
    [據英國《飛行國際》網站2012年10月25日報導]已經歷時8年的加拿大CH-148“颶風”海上直升機採購項目仍沒有結束的跡象，西科斯基作為主承包商可能會面臨約9100萬美元的罰款。

    雖然最近第四架過渡型機已經抵達加拿大新斯科舍省的加空軍第12聯隊基地，但初始批6架的交付日期還沒有確定。過渡型機原本計畫在2008年開始接收，實際推遲到2010年11月，最終構型機計畫在2012年6月開始交付。

加拿大國防部門在最近對該項目的表態中稱6架過渡型機應在今年交付。但在11月23日的聯合技術公司（西科斯基母公司）第三季度財報中，該公司首席財務官承認該合同仍存在問題，並表示仍在努力完成今明兩年分別交付5架和19架的計畫，但合同雙方在如何交付問題上仍存在分歧，在分歧消除前不會開始交付，尋找雙贏方案的工作還在繼續。

而加拿大方面稱西科斯基由於過渡型機交付拖延已被罰款800萬加元，算上最終構型交付拖延的罰款，這一數字將會增加到8050萬加元。

目前，加空軍10名技術人員已接受了該型機服役級別的維護培訓，但飛行員培訓尚未開始。

加拿大在2004年同西科斯基簽署了該項CH-148採購合同，包括28架直升機和後勤支持在內價值50億加元。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   褚世永）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/no-resolution-in-sight-for-canadas-sikorsky-cyclone-saga-378087/
No resolution in sight for Canada's Sikorsky Cyclone saga
PrintBy:   Dominic Perry London 12:30 25 Oct 2012  Source:  
Canada's long-running CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter procurement saga - which could leave prime contractor Sikorsky liable to pay compensation totalling almost C$90 million ($91 million) - looks no closer to resolution.

Although a fourth helicopter in an interim configuration recently arrived at the Royal Canadian Air Force's 12 Wing Shearwater base in Nova Scotia, there is still no delivery date set for its initial batch of six aircraft.

Ottawa had originally stipulated that the interim rotorcraft should arrive in 2008, but delays forced this date back to November 2010, with fully compliant Cyclones intended to arrive from June 2012.

In its most recent update on the programme, Canada's Department of National Defence said that six interim aircraft would be delivered by the end of this year.

But in a third-quarter earnings call on 23 October, Greg Hayes, chief financial officer of Sikorsky parent company United Technologies, admitted that problems remain with the contract.

The company is "well on its way" to completing the respective five and 19 helicopters it had planned to deliver in 2012 and 2013, says Hayes, but significant stumbling blocks remain to their acceptance.

"Until we have an agreement with the Canadian government in terms of the final configuration and an interim configuration, we really can't ship anything. We need to continue to work with the Canadians to find a win-win here."

Ottawa's procurement body, Public Works and Government Services Canada, says it will only "take delivery of an interim aircraft when the related contractual requirements are met." It says that Sikorsky is so far liable for compensation of C$8 million due to the delay to the interim helicopters. A further sum, rising to a maximum of C$80.5 million, will be payable for late delivery of helicopters in the final configuration.

"Senior government officials are meeting with Sikorsky leadership regularly to review progress. Sikorsky has reconfirmed its commitment to deliver helicopters at no additional cost to the Crown," it says.

To date, 10 air force technicians from Shearwater have received servicing-level maintenance training for the S-92-derived Cyclone, says the service, but pilot training has yet to commence.

The maritime helicopter programme has been running since 2004, when Canada ordered 28 CH-148s in a deal worth C$5 billion, including a support package.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/78468
俄羅斯海軍將採購艦載型Ka-62直升機
2012-10-26
    [據英國《飛行國際》網站2012年10月15日報導]俄羅斯《消息報》報導，據軍方最高指揮部的一位知情人士稱，俄海軍將向卡莫夫設計局採購海軍型Ka-62輕型通用直升機，用在其Project 20380級護衛艦上。

    軍方的知情人士稱，海軍型Ka-62的設計工作將在今年年底開始，但卡莫夫設計局則宣稱其已經開始了研發工作。

    俄羅斯海軍目前需要一個較小的艦載直升機型號，用於其2500噸級的護衛艦上，海軍目前裝備的Ka-27反潛直升機對於該艦來說尺寸過大。

    卡莫夫設計局稱，他們在任務設備如聲學系統、吊放聲呐和輕型魚雷方面還需要做很多的工作，並將為Ka-62設計可折疊的主旋翼槳葉和尾梁。

    與此同時，俄羅斯北海艦隊正在進行Ka-27M型機的著艦和反潛試驗。該機換裝了現代化的航電設備和新式的雷達，後者能夠提供在360°範圍內提供更大的探測半徑，同時能夠對12個海上或空中目標進行跟蹤。這次對Ka-27的升級工作可能能夠將其使用壽命延長10-15年。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   李昊）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russian-navy-to-buy-ka-62-maritime-helicopters-377667/
Russian navy to buy Ka-62 maritime helicopters
PrintBy:   Howard Gethin Moscow 01:48 15 Oct 2012  Source:  
Russia's navy is to acquire a navalised version of the Kamov Ka-62 light utility helicopter by 2014 to serve on its Project 20380-class frigates, according to a high command source cited by the Izvestia newspaper.

A navy specification for the new Ka-62 variant will be drawn up by the end of this year, the source said, but Kamov confirms it has already begun drawing up plans for a navalised model.

The navy needs a new type to operate from its 2,500t displacement ships, as its existing Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters are too large.

"The Ka-27 weighs 12t and is 5m [16ft] high because it is co-axial," says a navy source quoted by the paper. "On a ship of less than 3,000t, a large hangar spoils the seakeeping and handling of the ship. In sea states greater than five, the ship could be in danger of capsizing."

"We are not yet sure about the onboard equipment," says a Kamov source. "It will take a lot of effort to fit in an acoustics suite, dipping sonar and lightweight torpedos, but nothing is impossible." The navalised version will have folding main rotor blades and a folding tail.

Kamov's first design to use a conventional main and tail rotor layout, the first production example of the roughly 6t Ka-62 utility transport is due to make its flight debut in 2013.

Meanwhile, the navy's Northern Fleet is carrying out deck-landing and ASW trials with a modified Ka-27M. The type features modern electronics equipment and a new radar which provides 360˚ coverage with a greater search radius and can simultaneously track dozens of targets, including surface and airborne threats. The enhancements are expected to extend the Ka-27's service life by another 10 to 15 years.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/78340
伊拉克訂購米-28攻擊直升機
2012-10-22
    【據英國《飛行國際》網站2012年10月11日報導】據報導，伊拉克總理在訪問俄羅斯期間與俄羅斯簽署了一項價值42億美元的武器系統採購協定，其中包括30架米-28攻擊直升機和42套Pantsir防空系統。這是兩國自薩達姆政權倒臺後首次簽署此類協定。數年前，伊拉克曾試圖購買米-28A的出口型，但最終沒成功。

目前，俄羅斯空軍是米-28的唯一用戶，目前擁有64架米-28N，計畫最終裝備200架。

伊拉克是俄羅斯軍事裝備的傳統客戶，粗略估計在前蘇聯時代30多年時間裏共為此投入305億美元，之前購買的裝備包括約1000架固定翼飛機和350架直升機，外加防空系統、地面車輛和戰艦。

促使伊拉克重啟對俄武器採購的原因之一是該國軍隊已經習慣使用俄制裝備，並希望建立一個多樣化的武器供應體系。薩達姆倒臺後，伊拉克的大部分飛機採購均來源於美國。

由於中東地區的不穩定，伊拉克也希望借助簽署這項協議來鞏固與俄羅斯的關係，尤其是在其鄰國敘利亞陷入內戰泥潭、伊朗又被國際社會孤立之時。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   褚世永）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/iraq-orders-mi-28-attack-helicopters-377547/
Iraq orders Mi-28 attack helicopters
PrintBy:   Vladimir Karnozov Moscow 12:01 11 Oct 2012  Source:  
Moscow and Baghdad have reached a major weapons deal for the first time since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, with the $4.2 billion-plus pact including the purchase of 30 Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters.

An agreement to buy the aircraft and 42 Pantsir air defence systems was reached during an official visit to the Russian capital by Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, according to a report by the RIA Novosti news agency.

Iraq attempted to acquire an export version of the Mi-28A several years ago, but the deal was cancelled.

The Russian air force is the lone operator of the Mi-28, and plans to eventually field 200 of the type. The service has an active fleet of 64 N-model examples, as recorded by Flightglobal's Ascend Online Fleets database.

Iraq traditionally purchased much of its military equipment from Russia, with roughly $30.5 billion having been spent over 30 years during the Soviet era. Its previous deals included around 1,000 fixed-wing aircraft and almost 350 helicopters, plus air-defence systems, ground vehicles and warships.

Among Baghdad's reasons for resuming orders are that the Iraqi armed forces are used to using Russian equipment, and a desire to diversify its weapons suppliers. Most of the aircraft ordered since Hussein's removal from power have been sourced from the USA.

It is also seeking to restore ties with Moscow due to instability in the Middle East, including civil war in neighbouring Syria and the international isolation of Iran.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/78001
俄羅斯國防部正式承認其裝備了AS355直升機
2012-09-26
[據英國《飛行國際》2012年9月21日報導]俄羅斯國防部於9月18日公開表示，他們正在對5架將用於輕型運輸和特種作戰任務的歐直公司AS355直升機進行評估，這是俄羅斯首次正式承認其採購法制AS355直升機。

這5架AS355於2011年採購，當時歐直公司並沒有就公開宣佈這次採購。但隨後，俄羅斯日報Nezavisimaya Gazeta發佈的一張照片顯示，在一次反恐演習中，數名俄羅斯突擊隊員正在跳下一架AS355，因此這次採購才得以公開。俄羅斯媒體後來曾批評，這批以國防部長Anatoly Serdyukov個人名義購買的AS355並不是國防部需要的裝備，並且一直在閒置不用。

國防部表示這批直升機將用於運輸和特種作戰任務，並將通過空軍的飛行員訓練任務對其能力進行評估。

歐直將派服務人員前往俄羅斯，負責技術人員和機組成員的培訓。目前這批直升機部署在莫斯科附近的Chkalovskaya空軍基地。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   李昊）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-prompt-russian-defence-ministry-to-confirm-eurocopter-purchase-376662/
Pictures prompt Russian defence ministry to confirm Eurocopter purchase
PrintBy:     12:00 20 Sep 2012  Source:  
Russia's defence ministry on 18 September confirmed that it is evaluating five Eurocopter AS355 helicopters for light transport and special mission duties, in the first formal admission that it is testing the French-built type.

The five aircraft were purchased in 2011, although Eurocopter has declined to comment on the purchase.

Confirmation of the deal came after Russian daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta published a photograph on its website apparently showing Russian commandos jumping from an AS355 during an anti-terrorist exercise. Local media outlets had previously claimed that the aircraft, bought at the personal order of defence minister Anatoly Serdyukov, had lain idle and were unwanted by the ministry.

"The aircraft in question will be used for transport and special tasks in the interests of the military authorities," the defence ministry says. "We plan to carry out evaluation of the helicopters' capabilities in training young aviation specialists for the Russian air force."

French personnel will visit Russia to train technicians and aircrew in the use of the helicopters, which have been formally placed on the Russian register at Chkalovskaya air base in the Moscow region, it adds.

http://n.yam.com/cna/international/20120927/20120927840595.html
南韓擬購美製攻擊型直升機
中央社-2012年09月27日 上午09:25

 （中央社記者姜遠珍首爾27日專電）南韓政府最近向美國國防安全合作署（DSCA）提出採購36架大型攻擊型直升機意向書，DSCA已通報美國國會。

南韓「聯合新聞通訊社」今天報導，根據這份意向書，候選機型為陸軍的長弓－阿帕契（AH-64D）和海軍的眼鏡蛇直升機（AH-1Z），還包含有關零配件、訓練、維修、運輸等。

其中，有關阿帕契的採購包括36架阿帕契直升機、84台發動機、42台夜間探測感應器、36台射擊控制雷達等，金額約36億美元。主簽約合作對象為波音、洛克希德馬丁、通用電氣（GE）。

眼鏡蛇包括直升機、84台GE410C發動機、288枚「地獄火」（Hellfire）飛彈、72枚AIM-9「響尾蛇」（Sidewinder）空對空飛彈和發射台、雷達干擾設備等，規模為26億美元。主要簽約合作對象為貝爾直升機公司和通用電氣。

報導指出，美國國防部向美國國會發送的信函表示，南韓增強和維持防禦力量，有利於美國維護國家利益。向南韓銷售阿帕契或眼鏡蛇直升機，有助於提高因應現在和未來的威脅能力。

據報導，華盛頓的一位外交消息人士透露，承攬項目的企業將於11月揭曉、12月正式簽署購買合約。

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/77896
柏林航展：歐直公司開始重型運輸直升機設計
2012-09-20
   [據英國《飛行國際》2012年9月13日報導]歐直公司近日展示了其為“未來運輸直升機”（FTH）設計的機身部分構件，FTH預計將用於滿足軍用和人道救援方面的需求。

    歐直公司負責重型運輸直升機專案的副總裁Hans Weber表示，他們已經根據北約參謀部的預期目標完成了初步設計，並希望後者能夠儘快將其轉變為明確需求。

    由於受到法國和德國陸軍的影響，該目標要求其“盡可能大的內部載荷”。目前預定的方案中，該機的最大起飛重量為33噸，最大內部載荷為15噸，最大吊掛載荷為18噸。目前該機的備選發動機包括GE公司的GE38和羅-羅公司的AE 1107，這兩個型號分別用於美國海軍陸戰隊的CH-53K和V-22上。

    這段展出的機身全部由複合材料製造，其駕駛艙部分包括4個抗墜毀座椅，但全重只有60千克，加裝了座艙地板部分的總重也只有120千克。

    Weber表示，該機將首先使用“現貨”的技術通過民機標準認證，之後會考慮加裝軍用系統，其發展途徑將與EC145/UH-72類似。

    歐直公司和波音公司先前曾簽訂一份關於在FTH專案上合作的諒解備忘錄，但最終的合作還將取決於二者對產品和市場的判斷。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   李昊）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ila-heavy-transport-helicopter-design-comes-to-life-376425/
ILA: Heavy transport helicopter design comes to life
PrintBy:   Craig Hoyle Berlin 05:30 13 Sep 2012  Source:  
Eurocopter is showing a fuselage segment for a proposed Future Transport Helicopter (FTH), which it believes could meet the requirements of military users and civilian agencies responding to humanitarian disasters.

"We have finalised our preliminary design based on NATO staff targets, which we hope will soon become requirements," says Hans Weber, Eurocopter vice-president of heavy transport helicopters.

Driven by the French and German armies, the targets call for the ability to carry "as much internal cargo as possible", says German army aviation commander Brig Reinhard Wolski. The proposed aircraft has a planned 33t maximum take-off weight, including 15t in the cargo hold, or an under-slung load of 18t. Existing engine candidates include General Electric's GE38, in development for the US Marine Corps' future Sikorsky CH-53K, and the Rolls-Royce AE 1107, which powers the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor.

Manufactured from composite material, the cabin section on display weighs only 60kg (132lb), with the four crashworthy seats and cargo floor section also installed as part of the display increasing this to only 120kg.

Weber says Eurocopter believes the aircraft should use off-the-shelf technology where possible and be certificated to civil standards first, before later receiving its military-specific systems. This would follow the example of the civilian EC145, adapted for US Army use as the UH-72 Lakota.

Eurocopter and Boeing previously signed a memorandum of understanding to co-operate on the FTH initiative. "It has been beneficial for both sides," says Mark Ballew, director of rotorcraft business development for Boeing Mobility. However, he adds that it will come down to whether there is a product and a market which justifies the investment.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/77895
英國防部接收首批升級型“美洲豹”HC2
2012-09-20
    [據英國《飛行國際》2012年9月13日報導]歐直公司近日向英國國防部交付了首架升級型“美洲豹”HC2直升機，這批直升機是英國國防部於2009年訂購，合同總價3億英鎊（4.8億美元）。

    HC2型機換裝了透博梅卡Makila 1A1發動機和全顯示駕駛艙航電系統，首架機將送到Qinetiq公司的軍機測試與評估基地進行進一步的飛行試驗。到目前為止，共有3架“美洲豹”進行了升級，升級項目還包括了保密通信元件、新的防禦輔助裝置和彈擊防護措施。

    歐直公司內部的HC2驗證工作於今年7月6號結束，目前正在對其任務能力進行提升。

    英國皇家空軍共擁有22架“美洲豹”HC1直升機需要升級至HC2標準。根據目前的計畫，升級後的HC2將一直服役至2025年。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   李昊）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-mod-receives-first-upgraded-puma-hc2-376448/
UK MoD receives first upgraded Puma HC2
PrintBy:   Dominic Perry London 04:00 13 Sep 2012  Source:  
Eurocopter has handed over the first upgraded Puma HC2 helicopter to the UK Ministry of Defence under a £300 million ($480 million) contract dating from 2009.

Featuring new uprated Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines and glass cockpit avionics, the first enhanced example will be transferred to Qinetiq's Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, military test and evaluation facility to conduct further flight trials.

So far, three Pumas have received the upgrades, which also includes the incorporation of a secure communications suite, new defensive aids and ballistic protection for crew and passengers.

Eurocopter's first internal qualification of the Puma HC2 was achieved on 6 July. "Further enhancements to its mission capabilities [are] planned over the coming months," says the airframer.

"This delivery milestone marks another important accomplishment in a programme that is vital for the UK's combat capabilities, and it results equally from Eurocopter's commitment to its success and our close co-operation with the Ministry of Defence," says Markus Steinke, the managing director of Eurocopter UK.

A total of 22 Royal Air Force-operated Puma HC1s are being modified to the new standard. The enhanced type is due to remain in operational service until 2025.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/77737
泰國空軍選擇EC-725用以替代UH-1H
2012-09-12
[據美國航宇日報2012年9月5日報導]泰國空軍已經決定選擇歐直公司的EC-725用以替代老齡化的越戰時期的貝爾UH-1H直升機。
據空軍發言人的消息，泰國國會已經批准購買10架EC-725的決議。該發言人稱：“該專案分為兩個階段：第一階段是在2015年前接收首批4架直升機。”

據稱，首批四架直升機很可能會部署在Lopburi空軍基地。Lopburi是位於曼谷東北部150千米的一個小鎮，該地在去年泰國的洪水中受到很大影響。

今年早些時候，泰國空軍曾告訴航空週刊稱，其準備購買一些用於搜救的直升機，用以替換一些UH-1H。

工業主管希望空軍能夠在未來幾年內替換所有已相對老舊的UH-1H。EC-725機型比UH-1H大得多。工業主管指出，空軍期望獲得更大的直升機，去年的洪水也增加了對大型直升機用於救援受災人員的需求。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   王傳勝）

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/77474
首架完整作戰能力標準的NFH90直升機即將向荷蘭交付
 2012-08-29    [據英國《飛行國際》網站2012年8月21日報導]首架具備完整作戰能力（FOC）的海軍型NH90將于近期向荷蘭軍方交付。

    從2012年秋天開始至2015年，荷蘭防務直升機指揮部將每季度獲得一架NH90直升機，該機預定於2013年開始部署在海軍艦艇上。

    NH90原計劃的交付時間為2007年，但直到2010年荷蘭才獲得首架“有意義的作戰能力”（MOC）標準構型的NH90交付。到目前為止，荷蘭共獲得了7架MOC構型NH90。據荷蘭皇家空軍860中隊指揮官Jan-Willem Boone稱，FOC與MOC構型的主要差別在於其安裝的軟體。然而，其仍有約300個零部件需要升級，例如其雷達在近距離的探測性能就不能滿足要求。

    FOC構型還將包括電子戰系統，如電子對抗措施等設備。一旦FOC構型開始交付，荷蘭目前的7架MOC構型也將升級到同一標準。

    目前NH90的訓練工作正在進行，軍方希望能夠在年底完成5個機組的訓練工作。但是Boone指揮官則認為今年年內可能無法達到飛行小時數的要求。NH90直升機將駐紮在De Kooy海軍航空站，替換其現有的SH-14D“山貓”直升機。（中國航空工業發展研究中心 李昊）

 
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/holland-prepares-for-delivery-of-first-fully-operational-nh90s-375683/
Holland prepares for delivery of first fully-operational NH90s
PrintBy:   Anno Gravemaker Amsterdam 05:19 21 Aug 2012  Source:  
Holland is preparing to receive its first NH Industries NH90 maritime helicopter configured to the full operational capability standard.

Destined for the Netherlands Defence Helicopter Command, part of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), one NH90 will be handed over each quarter from autumn 2012 until 2015 as part of a total order for 20 of the type. First deployment on a naval vessel is scheduled for 2013.

Deliveries were due to commence in 2007, but programme delays meant the first aircraft, in the meaningful operational capability (MOC) configuration, was only received in 2010. Since then the Netherlands has received a further six of the type, all configured to the MOC standard.

According to Commander Jan-Willem Boone, commanding officer of the RNLAF's 860 Sqn, the majority of changes between the two configurations are software related. However, there are some 300 components that need to be updated, he says. The performance of the radar at short range is also lacking, he adds.

Its electronic warfare system, including countermeasures, will be operational on the full operational capability (FOC) version.

Once deliveries of the FOC-configured aircraft are completed, the seven initial NH90s will be upgraded to the higher standard.

Training in preparation for the arrival of the new aircraft continues and the service aims to have a total of five crews fully trained by the end of the year. However, Cdr Boone describes this goal as challenging and feels it is unlikely to meet its flight hour target this year. To be based at Naval Air Station De Kooy in Den Helder, the NH90s will replace the country's fleet of Westland Lynx SH-14Ds.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/77386
荷蘭皇家空軍將接收“支奴幹”直升機
2012-08-24
[據英國《飛行國際》網站2012年8月21日報導]荷蘭在2007年向波音公司訂購了6架CH-47F“支奴幹”重型運輸直升機，其近期將接收首批的3架“支奴幹”直升機。

目前，這批荷蘭皇家空軍訂購的直升機的組件正運往Antwerp港，其最終將被運至Woensdrecht進行總裝。

據悉，這批直升機原定於2009年交付，但是由於霍尼韋爾公司的Block 6航電系統的研製遇到瓶頸導致了該訂單的延誤。目前，這批“支奴幹”直升機將定於今年10月正式交付荷蘭並部署在荷蘭皇家空軍第298中隊位於Gilze-Rijen的空軍基地。

另外的三架“支奴幹”直升機將與荷蘭皇家空軍的8架波音公司的AH-64D“阿帕奇”武裝直升機一起永久部署在美國陸軍位於德克薩斯州的Fort Hood基地用來訓練。

據飛行國際的HeliCAS資料庫顯示，目前荷蘭皇家空軍共有11架CH-47D“支奴幹”直升機。荷蘭政府原計劃將CH-47D型直升機升級至CH-47F標準，但今年5月荷蘭國防部大臣Hans Hillen透露荷蘭政府更傾向于重新採購新的CH-47F型直升機。屆時，儘管最初採購成本相比升級成本有所增加，但與計畫於2035年退役的CH-47D直升機相比，新採購的CH-47F機隊能服役至2045年。但最終計畫如何還要等到今年9月的大選之後才能確定。（中國航空工業發展研究中心 黃宇新）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/rnlaf-waits-on-chinook-delivery-375684/
RNLAF waits on Chinook delivery
PrintBy:   Anno Gravemaker Amsterdam 05:32 21 Aug 2012  Source:  
Holland is close to receiving the first three Boeing CH-47F Chinooks dating from a 2007 order for six of the heavy transport helicopters.

The airframes for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) are in transit to the port of Antwerp. From there they will be shipped to Woensdrecht for final assembly.

Originally due to be handed over in 2009, development problems with the type's Honeywell Block 6 avionics suite have delayed their arrival. Official delivery is now scheduled for October, when the Chinooks will be added to the RNLAF's 298 Sqn at Gilze-Rijen air base.

Three further aircraft will be permanently stationed at the US Army's Fort Hood site in Texas for training purposes, alongside eight of the RNLAF's Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.

The RNLAF already operates 11 D-model Chinooks according to Flightglobal's HeliCAS database. The Dutch government had initially planned to upgrade these to the F-model standard, but in May this year defence minister Hans Hillen raised the possibility of scrapping the upgrade in favour of an 11-unit order of CH-47Fs.

Although initial costs would rise, the RNLAF's Chinook fleet could remain operational until at least 2045, rather than 2035 with the upgraded D-models.

Whether this change will be upheld is uncertain and depends on the outcome of September's general election.