Less than 18 months after its first flight on 9 December 2010, the first upgraded Royal Air Force Chinook HC4s should be operating at RAF Odiham, with delivery expected in early 2012. FOR THE ROYAL AIR FORCE Chinook Wing, home-based at RAF Odiham, Hampshire, 2011 was a memorable year. October saw the 30th anniversary of Chinook operations at the base. In late August, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed a ￡l-billion ($1.64-billion) contract with Boeing to provide 14 new-build CH-47F helicopters, designated as Chinook HC6s. including associated support for the first five years. This was over and above Project 'Julius', a ￡480-million upgrade programme to deliver more powerful engines and an advanced, digitised cockpit to the existing fleet of 46 Chinook HC2s, HC2 As and HC3s. As a result, these will be re-designated as Chinook HC4s. HC4 As and HC5s respectively. The first upgraded Chinook HC4 was expected at RAF Odiham in early 2012 and the initial new-build Chinook HC6 is due to be handed over for initial trials and testing in 2013, with deliveries completed by the end of 2015.
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