Originally Posted by
Distant Voice
A 2013 paper covering the MoD Helicopter Safety Enhancement Programme stated,
There is currently no wire cutter kit developed for the Chinook and there are no known plans to develop one. The cost and timescale associated with introducing this capability suggest that an alternative means of protecting the aircraft against wire strike may be a better option. Assessment of a tablet based moving map capability is underway, which would have details of known wires and obstacles overlaid. The key to this type of system is considered to be an effective means of alerting the aircrew to the presence of wires without them having to spend prolonged periods “eyes-in”.
I hope the ODH found suitable mitigation to cover the wire strike risk when he signed off on the ALARP safety statement.
DV
There was a wire-strike kit proposed as part of the equipment fit for the HH-47 proposal for the USAF's CSAR-X competition. Forward of each landing gear leg was situated a wire-cutter. It looks like another wire-cutter was situated under the nose. The CH-46 also had a wire-strike kit fitted during its later years in service but as mentioned above, blades fitted over the windscreen might not have been possible. It is odd that no kit was ever put into use on the Chinook.
500 Fan.