RAF Chinook HC6 Flight-Tests

摘要

Boeing revealed on April 15 it has commenced flight testing of the first of 14 new Chinook HC6 heavy-lift helicopters for the RAF. The maiden flight of the first, (ZK550)/N701 UK (c M7701), took place on March 15 at the Boeing helicopter facility in Ridley Township, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The RAF had originally planned to buy 24 new Chinooks, but progressive budget cuts reduced the figure to 22 and then finally just 14. The order was officially announced on July 18, 2011 when it was stated that initial deliveries were scheduled to start in late 2013, with the first HC6s expected to enter operational service in May 2014. All 14 examples are scheduled to be delivered by December 2015 and expected to be fully operational by early 2017.