In News
- Recently, Boeing-made Chinook helicopters have come under scanner over issues of engine fires.
About Boeing CH-47 Chinook
- A twin-engined, tandem rotor, heavy-lift helicopter.
- Developed by American rotorcraft company Vertol and manufactured by Boeing Vertol (later known as Boeing Rotorcraft Systems).
- Advantages of Chinook:
- High Capacity: The Chinooks can carry goods and cargo of up to 9.6 tonnes each.
- Disaster Management: The helicopter can also offer support during disaster relief, medical evacuation, search and rescue missions, aircraft recovery and parachute drops.
- Current Issue:
- The Chinook fleet has been grounded by the US Army as it is suspected that some engine fires broke out on an unspecified number of helicopters.
- While there have been no casualties because of these fires, yet a decision was taken to ground the helicopters as a precautionary measure.
Application by Indian Air Force (IAF)
- The Chinooks were inducted into the IAF in 2019 in a ceremony at Chandigarh.
- One Helicopter Unit of Chinooks is based in Chandigarh while the other is based at Mohanbari air base in Assam.
- The IAF operates a fleet of 15 Chinook helicopters and it has not grounded them as it awaits more word on the US development.
Source: TH
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