Hawkei fails Chinook airlift trial in Townsville

Army pilots were forced to abandon an armoured vehicle while it was hanging mid air, in another example of disastrous design faults of the military equipment meant to protect lives.

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TOWNSVILLE Army pilots were forced to abandon an armoured vehicle while it was hanging mid air, in another example of disastrous design faults of the military equipment meant to protect lives.

The Townsville Bulletin can reveal a Hawkei armoured vehicle was being winched by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at RAAF Base Townsville, when the vehicle started spinning.

Fearing the helicopter would crash as a result, pilots were forced to drop the Hawkei from height during the botched trial on November 4 2019.

The Hawkei is the ADF’s only protected vehicle capable of being lifted by Chinook helicopters and was a major design feature sought after during its acquisition phase.

A Hawkei armoured vehicle was being winched by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at RAAF Base Townsville, when pilots were forced to drop it on November 4, 2019.

A defence spokeswoman told the Bulletin design alterations have since been made to the Hawkei and it was now capable of being underslung from a chinook.

“To ensure the safety of the aircraft and crew, the aircraft performed a rapid descent and deliberately released the load as it reached the ground,” the defence spokeswoman said.

“Such events are uncommon, but not unexpected during initial flight trials of external loads and are normally resolved by changes to the rigging procedure.

“Defence can confirm that when the helicopter underslung load equipment was released, it hit the top of the vehicle, damaging the roof, canopy and bonnet. The vehicle was inspected and was driven off the site for further inspections. Damage to the vehicle was repaired.”

The latest gaffe has been uncovered following a Townsville Bulletin investigation revealing drivers were forced to tow a trailer solely for the purpose of carrying a spare tyre, a massive blunder according to Defence insiders.

A Hawkei armoured vehicle was being winched by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at RAAF Base Townsville, when pilots were forced to drop it on November 4, 2019.

A Defence spokesman confirmed 230 Hawkei’s were suspended on November 23 following an unexplained safety incident at the Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria.

The latest blunder has been uncovered following a Townsville Bulletin investigation revealing drivers were forced to tow a trailer solely for the purpose of carrying a spare tyre, a massive blunder according to Defence insiders.

Defence sources have told the Bulletin the Hawkei continued to disappoint and wasn’t fit for use as drivers cannot wear their body armour in the vehicle.

Shockingly they also said that if body armour was required it would need to be stored in the trailer as there was nowhere to hold it inside, or outside the vehicle.

It comes as Defence sources previously told the Bulletin that drivers of the Hawkei were unable to alter side mirrors from within the vehicle, despite its purpose being a protection vehicle.

Shockingly they also said despite the vehicle being armoured, the engine was not protected due to its fibreglass cover.

The Hawkei has been listed as one of five ADF projects “under threat” and at risk of failing to remain on budget and meet delivery time frames, the Australian National Audits Office has found.

Originally published as Hawkei fails Chinook airlift trial in Townsville