The RAF has received its first Chinook HC5. The landmark helicopter (ZH901) arrived at RAF Odiham, Hampshire from the Gosport Fleetlands facility on March 22 following conversion from HC3 standard by Vector Aerospace, Boeing's principal subcontractor in the programme. The machine is the first of eight HC3 versions to be converted under the £400m upgrade as the RAF works towards a standardised fleet of 60 Chinooks under Project Julius. The Chinook HC5 improves on earlier examples by featuring moving maps and a new digital automatic flight control system that combine to give better handling qualities, stability and safety. The HC5 also has a greatly increased fuel capacity compared with the earlier version.
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