Boeing Vertol Chinook HC.2 C/N M/A005/B-821/M7004 of 18(B) Squadron, RAF displaying at the Royal international Air Tattoo 2013. The RAF operates the largest fleet of Chinook Support Helicopters after the US Army, with a total of 34 HC2s, 6 HC2As. The Chinook Wing forms the heavy-lift element of the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) and is based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. Odiham supports three operational squadrons, No 7 Squadron, No 18 Squadron and No 27 Squadron, and the Operational Conversion Flight where new pilots and rearcrew learn to operate the Chinook. The HC2 and HC2A aircraft are used primarily for trooping and for carrying internal and/or underslung loads and can carry up to 55 troops or 10 tonnes of freight. The cabin is large enough to accommodate two Land Rovers, while the three underslung load hooks allow a huge flexibility in the type and number of loads that can be carried externally. Secondary roles include search and rescue and casualty evacuation, in which role a total of 24 stretchers can be carried. The crew consists of two pilots and two Weapon systems operators (WSOp(airloadmaster)). The pilot captain is responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft and completion of the mission, while the co-pilot operates the mission-management systems, navigation, communications and the self-defence suite. In the cabin are two weapon system operators who are responsible for passenger safety, loading and cargo restraint, operation of the aircraft weapon systems, winchman and winch operator roles, aircraft servicing when deployed and voice marshalling of the aircraft. The aircraft are well equipped for their varied roles and are fitted with a satellite Global Positioning System, an Instrument Landing System, comprehensive avionics that enable them to fly in airways, and an extensive radio suite. The aircraft cockpit has a full night-time capability when operated with night-vision goggles, thus allowing low-level night operations in a hostile environment. The aircraft also carries dual-mode landing lights that can be switched between white and infrared light, which are supported by infrared searchlights operated by the two crewmen. The Chinook is well equipped with an integrated defensive aids suite and chaff and flare dispensers, which can be manually or automatically fired. The Chinook is the only Helicopter in the fleet to boast a fully armoured cabin for its occupants and can be armed with two M134 six-barrelled Miniguns capable of 4000 round per minute, one in each front side window, and an M60D machine gun on the ramp.

• published: 29 Nov 2013
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