The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £410k contract to IrvingGQ for the provision of engineering support, technical documents, repairs and spares in respect of its existing ‘Chinook Helicopter Troop Insertion & Extraction System Equipment’.

“The Secretary of State for Defence (the ‘Authority’) intends to enter into a contract with IrvingGQ Ltd for the provision of Engineering Support, Technical Documents, Repairs and Spares in respect of its existing Chinook Helicopter Troop Insertion & Extraction System Equipment (TIESE).”

The proposed contract term is 3 years and the contract value is estimated to be $410,000.

Addressing the reason no competition took place, the Ministry of Defence say:

“IrvingGQ are the original equipment manufacturers and Design Authority of the TIESE fitted on the UK Chinook aircraft. As such, the In Service support of the TIESE (including the provision of repairs and spares) together with the related Project Management, can only be carried out by IrvingGQ as IrvingGQ exclusively holds the relevant skills, technical data, proprietary information (including drawing and design information) and know-how that is needed to meet the requirement.

IrvingGQ previously confirmed that it is not prepared to share or license the use of that proprietary information outside of the Company and the UK Ministry of Defence does not have a right to obtain the necessary documentation from IrvingGQ. The aforementioned skills, technical data, drawing and design information are necessary for the performance of the requirement. Furthermore, only IrvingGQ holds the level of certification (under the Authority’s Design Approved Organisation (DAOS) and Maintenance Approved Organisation (MAOS) Schemes) necessary to carry out the activities that are required in order to meet the Military Aviation Authority’s Regulatory Articles applicable to TIESE. It is not possible for another company to obtain the relevant level of certification without access to the skills, knowledge and technical information that only IrvingGQ hold.”

What is the Chinook Helicopter Troop Insertion & Extraction System Equipment?

According to IrvinGQ,

Troop Insertion and Extraction System Equipment (TIESE) is made up of five products:

  • The Fast Roping Frame (FRF)
  • The Centre Hatch Fast Roping Beam (CHFRB)
  • The In-line Quick Release Mechanism (QRM)
  • The Karabiner Adaptor (KA)
  • The Hoist Belay Bracket (HBB)

“The Fast Roping Frame is designed for the Chinook helicopter and allows troops to insert from the aircraft either by abseiling, roping or ladder, it can also be used for troop extraction. The Fast Roping Frame attaches to four 5,000lb tie-down ring on the aircrafts ramp. The tie-down adaptor holds the tie-down in an upright position whilst compensating for tie-down deformation and spreading the load to reduce the risk of further deformation.

The four tie-downs are used to restrain the Fast Roping Frame onto the ramp and each is adjusted separately to ensure optimum tension is achieved. The tie-downs used are at 58.16” longitudinal pitch and 77.00” lateral pitch. If the US ramp tie-down points are at different pitches then this may be possible to accommodate with minor configuration of the floor beams. There are five attachment points on the Fast Roping Frame.  These can be used in a configuration to suit the specific requirement of the mission. Each attachment point is fitted with its own independent quick release mechanism (QRM)which is a two stage cut away, that may be operated under load on or load off conditions.

The fitment of the unit, using a minimum of four suitably qualified and experienced personnel (SQEP), is ≤ two minutes. The raising of the Fast Roping Frame arch from the stowed position to the operational position using one SQEP is ≤ ten seconds, as is the lowering of the Fast Roping Frame arch back into the stowed position.”

You can read more about the product on their website here.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Bulkhead
Bulkhead
2 years ago

Such fun

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
2 years ago
Reply to  Bulkhead
Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Filmed at RAF Valley I believe.

Daveyb
Daveyb
2 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Dopes on a rope! Try searching for Chinook LTES. This is where a wire rope ladder is used to climb from the ground to the aircraft, can be front right side door, through the centre hatch or to the ramp. Usually no more than 20ft but can be up to 50ft. When carrying a daysack, weapon plus webbing, it is one of the most extreme activities you can do. The ladder twists and you are buffeted by the down draft, plus there is no safety line. You slip and fall, well make sure you land on a mate, otherwise… Butt… Read more »

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
2 years ago
Reply to  Daveyb

LOL, I’d much prefer a 10k run!

Barry Larking
Barry Larking
2 years ago

I see the GBP has achieved (?) parity with the U.S. dollar …

Daveyb
Daveyb
2 years ago

This is primarily for the Mk6A only. Both the Mk5 and Mk6 have built-in roof mounted fast roping beams. Within the Boeing Chinook build catalogue, these items are part of the optional extras. Would sir like furry dice, with the velour cushions?

Crabfat
Crabfat
2 years ago

The bulbs on my back porch railings are coming up, already….