New Delhi: Indian Air Force created a new record by flying Boing-made Chinook, the heavy-lift transport helicopter, 1,910 km in India. The non-stop flight was started from Chandigarh to Assam’s Jorhat. It took seven-and-half hours to complete the distance, reported the IAF officials.
The IAF purchase Chinook from Boeing along with Apache attack helicopters. It was formally inducted into the IAF fleet in Chandigarh in March 2019.
On the occasion of the new record journey, PRO Defence Palam tweeted, ”Chinook is a multi-role,vertical-lift platform, used for transporting men and material. It also plays an important role in Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operations. Rapid mobility will allow@IAF_MCC to employ this asset optimally as required.”
This is a proud moment for the IAF. If you do not know about Chinook, we have brought you this article to tell you more about this multi-role helicopter.
Notably, India signed a $3 billion deal to buy 15 Chinook and 22 Apache attack helicopters in 2018. The deal was made to replace Russian-made Mi-17 medium-lift helicopters, the Mi-26 helicopters, and Mi-35 attack helicopters.
Check five things about Chinook:
1. Chinook helicopters help India during disaster relief operations, medical evacuation, search and rescue missions, aircraft recovery, and parachute drops.
2. Chinook helicopters are capable of carrying cargo and goods weighing up to 9.6 tonnes. The cargo includes men, artillery guns, and light armoured vehicles. It can also fly with heavy equipment used for the construction of roads over difficult terrain.
3. During the operations in the Himalayas region or any hilly areas, chinook is best suited.
4. Boeing has provided a fully integrated, Digital Cockpit Management system and common Aviation Architecture Cockpit.
5. First Chinook helicopter was delivered on February 10, 2018, at the Mundra port in Gujarat.
