BAE awarded Australian CH-47 maintenance contract

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has selected BAE Systems Australia as the Deeper Maintenance (DM) provider for its CH-47D Chinook fleet.

As the fleet transitions from the CH-47D to the anticipated CH-47F model, BAE Systems aims to ensure the ‘lowest possible transition risk’, according to a statement released on 1 March.

The company has been providing DM support for the ‘critical battlefield and support aircraft’ for 14 years. This contract has an initial value of A$20.9 million for six years, with options of some 20 years.

The ADF requires BAE Systems to provide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, repairs, engineering and logistics support services.

The current Chinook fleet of six CH-47Ds is to be replaced with seven CH-47F helicopters by 2017. The aircraft is operated by C Squadron of the 5th Aviation Regiment, based in Townsville, Queensland.

The $513.5 million contract between the Defence Material Organisation (DMO) and the US Army Security Assistance Command was signed in March 2010, with the first two Chinooks set to enter service in 2014.

After winning two support contracts in 2009 for the army’s Black Hawks and the navy’s Seahawks, BAE Systems said it considers itself ‘well-placed’ to provide support for the Chinooks.

Australia’s Chinook fleet is a ‘critical capability’, according to BAE Systems Australia managing director Jim McDowell, and it is an aircraft heavily committed to active, high tempo military operations. 

The DM contract is expected to provide 23 jobs, mainly in Townsville. This further supports Australian industry, as objectified when the Chinook replacement contract was announced.

Meanwhile, BAE Systems has formed an industry team with CAE and AgustaWestland to pursue the AIR 9000 Phase 7 programme for future rotary training needs for the ADF. The programme, also called Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS), will provide a helicopter training capability for the navy and the army.

The team announced its formation on 1 March, and aims to offer a light twin helicopter type from AgustaWestland, a synthetic training programme from CAE, with maintenance and support services being led by BAE.