The new fuel tank, with a capacity of approximately 750 litres, extends the helicopters’ flight time substantially, providing greater operational flexibility. This upgrade is particularly valuable in expansive operational theatres, such as Mali, where Swedish forces utilised a similar system during their international mission, which concluded in 2022.
“This extensive modification work would not have been possible without the excellent collaboration between the Air Staff, the Helicopter Wing, the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and the American supplier,” said Per Johnsson, Technical Chief for Helikopter 16. He also highlighted that several helicopters have already been successfully modified and tested with the extra fuel tank, yielding positive results.
The adoption of this system, which is also used by other nations including the United States, allows Sweden to benefit from the established configurations and support provided by the US Army, particularly in terms of airworthiness and system integration.
Once the modifications are completed, all Helicopter 16 units will have the capability to use the additional fuel tank. This will significantly enhance the operational flexibility and availability of Sweden’s helicopter units, providing them with greater reach and endurance in their missions.
