The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has been preparing for summer with upgrades to Australia’s largest firefighting helicopter, including increased water-holding capacity and new night-time capabilities.
The CH-47 Chinook helicopter can now hold 11,000 litres of water in an internal tank, making it an even better asset in firefighting efforts.
“We can never be too prepared for summer and the upgraded Chinook makes the RFS aerial fleet even stronger in the fight against fires,” Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said. “This new capability to safely conduct aerial waterbombing at night is a game-changer for our response, allowing for faster turnarounds and greater capacity to protect people and properties.”
With the tank upgrade, the helicopter can fill faster, deploy more effectively, and conduct night-time operations when fire intensity is typically lower. Previously, the Chinook had a bucket that made it too dangerous to be used at night-time or over densely populated areas.
“This addition means that the Chinook can directly attack fires with precision when conditions are typically more favourable – such as at night,” Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service Rob Rogers said. “The RFS is prepared to deploy our robust and versatile fleet wherever and whenever needed to protect communities and respond swiftly to fires across NSW.”
Added to the RFS aerial fleet last year, the Chinook has been instrumental in firefighting efforts in NSW and is one of only a few Chinook helicopters in use for firefighting activity globally, with the heavy transport helicopter mostly used by defence forces.
“Our aerial fleet includes crucial assets that support our RFS volunteers and personnel on the ground to keep communities as safe as possible, and I thank them for everything they do for our state,” Mr Dib said. “As we enter the warmer months and as the RFS and other fire agencies prepare, communities across the state should also do their bit by checking the readiness of their properties and their plan in the event of an emergency.”
NSW has the most aerial firefighting aircraft of any state and territory in Australia. In addition to the Chinook, the fleet this season includes the Boeing 737 Large Air Tanker ‘Marie Bashir’, two Cessna Citations, one King Air fixed-wing aircraft and six Bell 412 helicopters.
The new tank was fitted out locally and is a permanent solution that replaces a temporary 10,000-litre bucket. It allows the Chinook to carry the largest water payload of any firefighting helicopter in Australia and second only to the ‘Marie Bashir’ in the RFS fleet.
This expanded capability builds on the RFS’s strategic partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force, with the aircraft operating out of RAAF Base Richmond.
Operating from bases across the state, including Richmond, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour and Cooma, the RFS fleet is further supported by more than 200 additional aircraft available on an as-needed basis through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) and other agreements.
