§ Kate HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the reliability of the FAD1C computer system controlling Chinook helicopters; and if he will make a statement. [15437]
§ Mr. SpellarFor the Chinook HC Mk2 aircraft, a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control system, FADEC, was procured to replace the hydro-mechanical fuel control system which had been used on the Chinook HC Mk1. An initial FADEC target reliability figure of 1.1 failures per thousand flying hours was agreed, to improve to 0.6 after seven years in service with the RAF. After five years, the FADEC system reliability is currently about 0.4 failures per thousand flying hours, and has thus improved upon the contractual target.