british special forces
UKSF Photos UKSF Video UKSF Wallpapers UKSF Books Culture
UK special forces | SFSG | royal marines | FPGRM | op sond chara | paras | raf regiment | helicopters | vehicles | misc | elite police
▼ share this page

RAF Chinook MK3 Helicopter

photo category: helicopters
chinook mk3
A Chinook MK3 helicopter pictured in flight. The MK3s were initially earmarked for RAF 7 Squadron Special Forces Flight and were to be configured for special operations. They were to be fitted with enhanced engines, 'fat' fuel tanks and night-vision-compatible digital cockpits as part of a suite of advanced avionics which would put the MK3 on a par with the MH-47E Chinooks then operated by the U.S. Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Alas, a series of attempts to lower costs on the 8 MK3s resulted in a dispute with Boeing over the access codes for the supplied software and, after much expense and time wasted, a much dumbed-down MK3, retrofitted to MK2a standard, was finally delivered into RAF service, flying regular duties. The special forces flight still operate the MK2/MK2a airframes the MK3 was supposed to replace. The MK2 Chinooks flying special forces missions have been fitted with a 'night enhancement package' which includes a forward-looking infrared sensor, the display screen for which obscures the co-pilot's view out of the cockpit.
Image by SAC Andy Masson RAF | © UK MOD / Crown Copyright 2024
Used under Open Government Licence
« back to military helicopters gallery
advertisements
 CONNECT
facebook facebook youtube
 NEW PHOTOS
RM Green Team
Green Team
Royal Marines Boarding Team
view: RM Green Team
42 Commando Vikings
SFSG Marksman
SFSG soldier armed with HK417 rifle
view: SFSG Marksman
SRT
539 ASRM SRT
Squadron Reconnaissance Team (SRT)
view: 539 ASRM SRT
 UKSF HEADLINES


advertisements


Share this page:


not endorsed by or affiliated with the ministry of defence | all information is non-classified & sourced from public domain |

all images are for educational purposes and sourced from the public domain where possible - image policy | privacy policy