The Navy’s Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit along with C Squadron, 5 Aviation Regiment has conducted a «quick look» trial of the CH-47D Chinook onboard the Navy’s Flag Ship, HMAS Canberra (L02). The trials were conducted over a week with preliminary work being conducted at HMAS Albatross (air station, also known as Naval Air Station Nowra) and the flying trials conducted at sea on 20-21 October 2015.
The Chinook helicopter conducted a series of evolutions to HMAS Canberra’s flight deck including launch and recoveries along with an assessment of external load operations known as vertical replenishment or VERTREP (Vertical Replenishment). An assessment was also made of aircraft lashing schemes and refuelling procedures.
This trial was the precursor for a full First of Class Flight Trial planned for the CH-47F in late 2016. The CH-47D and CH-47F are both operated by C Squadron from Townsville in Queensland.
Commander Air HMAS Canberra, Commander Paul Moggach, said the trial represented another milestone in operational capability for the ship. «We are already authorised for deck operations with MRH-90 Taipan and S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters, and the Chinook activity this week has further expanded our knowledge», he said. «We look forward to operating with Army helicopters in support of our amphibious roles».
The outcome of the trial is to provide a limited CH-47D operating envelope to the Landing Helicopter Dock or amphibious assault ship.
Characteristics
| PLATFORM CHARACTERISTICS | |
| Length Overall | 757 feet/230.8 m |
| Length Waterline | 680 feet/207.2 m |
| Beam | 105 feet/32 m |
| Design Draft | 23.5 feet/7.18 m |
| Full Load Displacement | 27,831 tonnes |
| Crew and Embarked Forced Accommodation | 1,403 |
| MACHINERY | |
| Propulsion | 2 × Siemens 11,000 kW PODs |
| Bowthruster | 2 × 1,500 kW Brunvoll/Siemens motors |
| Stabilisers | 2 × Fincantieri |
| Generators | 1 × 22,000 kW GE LM2500 Gas Turbine and 2 × 7,680 kW Diesel |
| Integrated Platform Management System | Navantia – Sistemas |
| Fresh Water | 6 × Reverse Osmosis Plants (each 25 tonnes/day) |
| Sewage | 2 × Treatment Plants |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Maximum Speed | 20+ knots/23+ mph/37+ km/h |
| Economic Speed | 15 knots/17 mph/28 km/h |
| Maximum Range | 9,250 NM/10,644 miles/17,131 km |
| Endurance | 45+ days |
| CAPACITY | |
| Flight Deck | 51,128.57 feet²/4,750 m² |
| Dock (including ramp) | 12,540 feet²/1,165 m² |
| Heavy Cargo Garage | 12,270.86 feet²/1,410 m² |
| Light Cargo Garage | 20,236 feet²/1,880 m² |
| Hangar | 10,656.27 feet²/990 m² |
| Garages, Hangar and Well Dock | 1,350 lane meter (2.9 m wide) |
| General Store Rooms | 11,614.26 feet²/1,079 m² |
| Future Growth Margin | 672 tonnes |
