RAF Boeing H-47ER

[EGDR]

Are there any based in the middle east?

Not sure there's a permanent need in the Middle East now, given there isn't too much of a UK troop presence there, if at all.

There's a need for CSAR support for Op Shader aircraft and likely for special forces operations which don't get publicly acknowledged

[f-4]

I expect there will be at least 14 retirements from the existing fleet, if not all originals bought in the early 1980s.

[Kier]

H-47ER is similar akin to the Nightstalkers MH-47G.

Not really as an MH-47G has a range of 860 miles, and this H-47ER will get a range of 1200miles.....That's REALLY impressive !!

[Vulcanone]

I expect there will be at least 14 retirements from the existing fleet, if not all originals bought in the early 1980s.

It was supposedly going to be 9 of the oldest airframes out of the 60 in the fleet, so with an eventual fleet of 51, that probably will be the case.

However they have retired 2 of the ZH airframes delivered from around 2001, as for what they do with the retirees after spares recovery I wonder museums wise. As the most important airframe is safe

[Evergreen 44]

And deduct the 6 already retired

Thanks for mentioning those
One is ZA718 at Hendon ?
Plus two from ZH89_ batch
Can anyone confirm the other five please ?
Thanks and regards,
Paul

Listed here.

https://www.demobbed.org.uk/aircraft.php?type=342

Many thanks Tom,
Great resource
Best regards,
Paul

[Philwinward]

H-47ER is similar akin to the Nightstalkers MH-47G.

Not really as an MH-47G has a range of 860 miles, and this H-47ER will get a range of 1200miles.....That's REALLY impressive !!

1200 miles estimated range seems a bit unusual being so much more than the US special forces version already in use. You would think that if this was obtainable the Americans would already be using it or have it on order. Where is all the extra fuel going to be stored?

Another answer could be something much simple : somehow the range calculations involving
miles / nautical miles / kilometres have gone a bit adrift !!
I can understand small increases in range by using new generation materials but 30% approx seems too good to be true.

[TonyO]

H-47ER is similar akin to the Nightstalkers MH-47G.

Not really as an MH-47G has a range of 860 miles, and this H-47ER will get a range of 1200miles.....That's REALLY impressive !!

These new Chinooks are MH-47Gs, they just haven't been called that in documents and press releases.

[Doughnut]

Range can mean different things to different people.
Simple A to B or A to B back to A

[jamesg23]

So will these new chinooks have a refuelling probe like people keep saying " they are just MH 47G". If so, will we have to reley on mildenhall hercs to refuel them?

[Agent K]

So will these new chinooks have a refuelling probe like people keep saying " they are just MH 47G". If so, will we have to reley on mildenhall hercs to refuel them?

Suspect the USAF doesn’t have much spare capacity, they will have based the numbers there for their needs, also not sure the USAF would fly them down to the South Atlantic or Africa or wherever the RAF/UK might need them.

[EGDR]

The Chinook HC3s (now HC5s) were also supposed to be fitted with an IFR probe. As we now know, that capability hasn't been utilised. Just because an aircraft *can* be fitted with one doesn't mean it must be used. MH-47Gs can fly without them if ever necessary, it's just uncommon to see that configuration. Much like those for the Merlin HC fleet if we do have them delivered with the airframes they'll presumably go into a warehouse.