Chinook Mid-Life Block Upgrade

Sometime in the future, DND intends to execute a Chinook Mid-Life Block Upgrade (CMBU). “We are reaching the point with some components and systems where we’re dealing with obsolescence — or will be dealing with obsolescence in the near future,” said LCol Richard Morris, who is responsible for tactical aviation under the Director of Air Requirements, also known as DAR 9.

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CH-147F CHINOOK 

The RCAF is in the early stages of drafting a capability roadmap for the CH-147F — an outline of the needed improvements and when they should be installed. But the parallel work on nTACS, and tactical aviation more generally, will also dictate how the Chinook “needs to evolve,” acknowledged Morris.

The fleet of 15 Chinooks is already in high demand for operations and exercises. Forward aeromedical evacuation is now a standard part of the training regime, and SOF is seeking more opportunities to work with the CH-147F. Adding new mission kits would require further crew training.

Morris noted that dealing with some obsolescence issues in the midblock upgrade could ensure faster turnaround to “support all the entities requesting [450 Squadron] services.”