Richmond-based RFS ‘Chinook’ Helicopter Gets an Upgrade

RFS News

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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. 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.

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.