Breaking News: UK Chinook helicopter completes first flight with infrared suppression against heat seeking missiles.

According to information published by Boeing on July 16, 2025, the United Kingdom’s Chinook Mk 6 tactical transport helicopter has successfully completed its first flight equipped with an advanced Infrared Suppression System (IRSS). This significant milestone marks a critical advancement in the survivability of the British Army’s rotary-wing fleet, enhancing its defenses against heat-seeking missile threats commonly encountered in modern conflict zones. The trial was conducted as part of Boeing’s IRSS development and validation campaign and it represents the largest trial installation on a UK Chinook platform in more than a decade.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

UK British Army Chinook Mk 6 helicopter on the ground fitted with the new Infrared Suppression System (IRSS) visible near the engine exhausts designed to reduce infrared signature and increase survivability against heat-seeking missile threats. (Picture source: Boeing)

The IRSS (Infrared Suppression System) works by modifying the aircraft’s exhaust system to reduce its infrared signature, which is the primary means by which heat-seeking missiles detect and target helicopters. The flight test aircraft was equipped with extended exhaust mounts designed to cool and disperse engine heat, a core principle of infrared suppression. By reducing this signature, the Chinook becomes significantly harder for infrared-guided munitions such as shoulder-fired MANPADS and air-to-air missiles to lock onto. This capability is especially vital in asymmetric warfare environments where such threats are commonly used by irregular and non-state actors and in future peer-level conflicts where air defense systems are more sophisticated.

The Chinook Mk 6 is the latest and most advanced British-specific variant of the CH-47 Chinook series, based on the U.S. CH-47F Block I model but tailored extensively to meet UK operational and technical requirements. It features a fully digital automatic flight control system (DAFCS) for enhanced handling and stability, uprated Honeywell T55-GA-714A engines each delivering 4,868 shp, and a cockpit fully integrated with British Army communication and navigation systems including BOWMAN-compatible secure radios. The Mk 6 is also fitted with a modern glass cockpit, GPS/INS navigation with digital moving maps, and an advanced Defensive Aids Suite (DAS) that includes missile warning systems and countermeasure dispensers.

In 2021, the UK Ministry of Defence signed a 2 billion dollar Foreign Military Sales contract with the U.S. government to acquire 14 new CH-47 Extended Range (CH-47ER) Chinooks from Boeing. These aircraft are intended to replace older Mk 5 and Mk 6 variants and will come equipped with long-range fuel tanks, upgraded avionics, and the full suite of survivability enhancements including the IRSS now under trial. The new helicopters are expected to remain in operational service into the 2040s, forming a core element of the British Army’s tactical and strategic lift capability.

The Chinook has been a cornerstone of the British Army’s Joint Helicopter Command since 1980, performing a wide range of critical missions including tactical troop transport, battlefield resupply, casualty evacuation, special operations support, and humanitarian relief. With a maximum internal payload exceeding 10 tonnes and the ability to carry up to 55 fully equipped soldiers, it is the UK’s primary heavy-lift helicopter platform. Its proven performance in diverse environments from the deserts of Afghanistan to Arctic training operations underlines its strategic value. British Chinooks have supported nearly every major military operation conducted by the UK in the past four decades, as well as non-combat missions such as disaster response and emergency medical evacuations.

The successful completion of this first IRSS-equipped flight not only confirms the viability of the system for future fleet-wide implementation but also represents a significant leap forward in operational survivability. As threats from infrared-guided weapons continue to evolve, integrating such countermeasures ensures that UK Chinooks can continue operating effectively and safely in high-threat environments. Boeing’s integration of the IRSS also reflects growing international interest in modular survivability upgrades for legacy aircraft, allowing NATO and allied forces to extend the operational relevance of their existing platforms in an increasingly contested battlespace.

With this milestone, the Chinook Mk 6 reaffirms its position as one of the most capable and modernized heavy-lift helicopters in NATO service. The British Army’s investment in advanced protection systems like IRSS ensures that its rotary-wing forces remain resilient, adaptive, and mission-capable in the face of 21st-century threats.