Chinook

Support to the ‘day-to-day’ business.

AACE personnel work along side Service personnel at the Chinook Engineering and Development Team (ChEDIT) based at RAF Odiham and provide a Subject Matter Expert (SME) presence at Boscombe Down. The core of current tasking relates to the drafting of engineering instructions for the Mk3 to allow the incorporation of the multitude of Mk2/2A DA and SM modifications and Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR’s) that have been incorporated on the operational aircraft over recent years. Some instructions cannot be directly read across from the Mk2/2A due to differences between the aircraft. AACE personnel have been directly involved with this conversion process from the outset. One topical example of this is the aircraft Ballistic Protection (BP). This modification has separate applicability for the Mk2/2A and Mk3. AACE personnel working for the Chinook IPT were contracted to uplift the modifications, originally in SEM and STF format in to one SM.

In addition to carrying out Mk3 work, AACE personnel also support many Mk2/2A tasks. This not only includes acting as an SME for the basic airframe but also for the many system modifications that have been incorporated as a result of operational requirements. This includes devising both mechanical and avionics repair schemes, providing advice and assistance to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), carrying out Equipment evaluation for both current ‘in-service’ and new equipment and also reviews of engineering documentation.

Mk 3 Reversion Program.

Mid 2007 saw AACE contracted to provide support to the Chinook Integrated Project Team (ChIPT) to assist in expediting the return to flight of the much publicised Mk3 Chinooks, which have predominantly remained grounded since delivery in 2001. The increased operational tempo in Iraq and Afghanistan has placed an ever-increasing burden on the Mk2/2A fleet of 40 aircraft. To mitigate this situation the MoD decided to ‘revert’ the current ‘glass cockpit’ of the Mk3 to an analogue standard mirroring, as far as possible, that of the in-service Mk2/2A. This decision is expected to bring the Mk3 into operational service Mid 2009, some 2 years earlier that previous estimates under the original 'Fix to Field' program.

CHINOOK GFX MANAGER

Over the period 2008/09 AACE has been contracted to supply a GFX Manager to the Chinook Project Team Capability Section to provide support in meeting Chinook Urgent Operational Requirement’s (UOR)s. The main focus of this effort has been ensuring the coordinated management of the provision of Government Funded Equipment (GFE), Government Funded Assets (GFA) Government Funded Information (GFI) and personnel to meet the demanding and challenging environment of UOR’s.

The role of the GFX manager requires constant interaction with multiple MoD Agencies, Departments and Units, including major defence industries to ensure that all required GFE, GFA, GFI and personnel are provided in a timely manner to support all key stages of a UOR programme, in particular the Development, Trials and Testing phases. This role has been widely acknowledged across many areas of MoD and Industry as providing a key support role in the delivery of the Chinook Defensive Aid Suite (DAS) upgrade programme, which, achieved its IOC on time as planned.

AACE has received a letter of commendation for their efforts in delivering this complex and diverse project, resulting in a more capable helicopter to meet the demands of current operations.

AACE Ltd
Broomwood House
Lincombe Lane
Boars Hill
Oxford OX1 5DX

Tel: 01865-327427
Web: www.aace.co.uk
Email: enquiries@aace.co.uk