Army Loses Puma Helicopter in Crash; Crew Member Killed

The stricken H-264

An Army helicopter crashed in the Andes, destroying the aircraft and leaving one of its crew members dead. The crew mechanic died at the scene of the April 20 accident, while the pilots and crew chief were injured and rescued. The helicopter was on a mission to provide maintenance to a repeater antenna in the mountains when it struck a rock and crashed, according to preliminary details. The helicopter was identified as a Puma with tail number H-264. Photos of the helicopter show it was one of the Pumas SA-330s that have been in the Army for several decades and that the Army has been trying to replace. The most recent acquisition of helicopters for the Army was a few Cougar helicopters, a newer and larger version of the Pumas, in 2013. Army officials have expressed interest in enlarging the fleet of medium helicopters. At the moment, only the Air Force (FACh) is in advanced plans to purchase helicopters.

Benefits for Civilian Life Help Boost Volunteers for Military Service

Volunteers fill the barracks.

This year, nearly 13,000 Chilean men and women will be entering military service, as enough volunteers stepped forward to fill the requirements of all three branches. Although the armed forces usually find enough volunteers, last year's recruitment class was short by 11%, which forced a draft. This year, nearly 20,000 sought entrance, meaning one-third were turned away. Why the big jump? The military stepped up its benefits. Today's volunteers have more incentives than other recruitment classes, such as new educational opportunities, a gateway to careers in police and the military, plus help with childcare and subsidies if a soldier enters higher education. Military service also provides young people with job training they can use in civilian life. Medical, machinery and auto repair are some of the fields that ex-soldiers can go into. In addition, those assigned to Chile's extreme areas get extra time off and airfare for a relative to visit. For the 2016 class, the Army is enlisting more than 12,000 (including 1,500 women), the Navy 500 and the Air Force 324.

Fidae Roundup: Helicopters Sought; Upgrades for Rifles, Orions

The biannual Fidae air show concluded this past weekend and, as it usually does, resulted in fresh updates on programs and acquisitions for Chile's armed forces. Here's a look at the most notable items out of the show:

The Air Force plans to purchase several medium-lift helicopters later this year. The favorite is said to be the Sikorsky Black Hawk, although the Russian Mil Mi-17, AgustaWestland AW139 and Airbus Helicopters H215M are also in contention. The $180 million deal would be for up to seven helicopters with high-altitude capabilities to operate in the Andes, in-flight refueling probes, advanced navigation systems and other equipment for combat search and rescue missions.

The Army is upgrading its SIG assault rifles under a program carried out by the military-owned Famae arms manufacturer. The upgrade includes adding Picatinny rails (to attach accessories) to the barrel portion of the gun, and a foldable buttstock, according to an article via Noticias FFAA Chile. Chile has about 50,000 serviceable SIG rifles in 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm versions. Front-line troops are being equipped with the Galil ACE 22 5.56 mm assault rifle, but other units will continue to use the SIG 540 and 542 models.

Lockheed Martin is replacing the wings on two Orion P-3 maritime reconnaissance planes, part of a midlife upgrade that includes new engines and cockpit improvements. Deliveries to the Navy are set for next year for the first plane and 2018 for the second, according to Defensa.com.