Canada Wants Upgraded Chinooks

Canada’s air force wants to upgrade the design of its planned purchase of Boeing Co. CH-47 Chinooks. It is offering Boeing a limited contract to build two prototype aircraft, according to The Canadian Press. Lt. Gen. Angus Watt, the air force chief of staff, said ongoing talks and the redesign would not affect the delivery date of the 16 medium-lift aircraft. Observers are concerned that the possible changes could push the delivery of the aircraft past 2011. The army has identified the Chinooks as essential to getting Canadian troops off the roads of southern Afghanistan. The air force would like to see better armor and weapons on the Chinooks so the aircraft may be used for casualty evacuation. Currently, Canadian troops are evacuated off the battlefield by Sikorsky Aircraft UH-60 Black Hawks specially fitted for medical evacuation. The requested modifications would not upgrade the Chinooks to full medevac capability, but would allow for the timely airlift of wounded soldiers. For related news