Boeing Awarded U.S. Army Contracts for CH-47F Chinook Helicopters

CH-47F Chinook Helicopter More Information ROLLOVER Credit: The Boeing Company

The production contracts include 16 new-build CH-47Fs and nine remanufactured CH-47Fs valued at $624 million. The contracts also include options for 22 additional new-build CH-47Fs and 19 remanufactured CH-47Fs valued at more than $920 million. Aircraft deliveries will begin in early 2008.

"These contract awards illustrate the Chinook's importance as a multi-mission asset to the U.S. military," said Jack Dougherty, director, H-47 Programs. "The CH-47F is central to the U.S. Army's aviation modernization program and will remain in service for decades to come."

"The contracts also reflect the need for the Chinook to support our Army warfighters in meeting their tactical and combat support missions around the world," said Ken Eland, CH-47F program director. "We are extremely pleased with the Army's confidence in Boeing to continue to build these magnificent helicopters."

CH-47F Chinook

The CH-47F features a newly designed, modernized airframe and a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System advanced digital cockpit to meet the needs of current and future warfighters. The helicopter's advanced avionics provide improved situational awareness for flight crews with an advanced digital map display and a data transfer system that stores pre-flight and mission data.

To extend the service life of the CH-47 beyond 2030, Boeing developed the CH-47F in the mid-1990s and began production in 2003. Boeing is conducting major cost reduction initiatives, which improve manufacturing processes and affordability. The program features improvement aimed at reducing operating and support costs; improving reliability, availability and maintainability (RAM); and providing digital battlefield compatibility in communications and navigation. The program included modernization of 394 existing CH-47Ds and production of 17 new helicopters. The CH-47F Chinooks possess the following capabilities and characteristics:

• Improved airframe structure to reduce vibration effects

• Structural enhancements in the cockpit, cabin, aft section, pylon and ramp -- flexible paint system with corrosion preventive compounds

• Integrated cockpit control system -- Common Aviation Architecture System -- Improved electrical, avionics and communication systems

• Improved Avionics with Digital Advanced Flight Control System -- Situational awareness and improved digital map display

• More powerful engines with digital fuel controls. Two turbine engine hubs, each with a Textron Lycoming T55-L714 engine -- each with 4,900 SHP

• A maximum payload capacity of 21,500-pounds (Based on U.S. Army requirements for the CH-47F)

• An operating range up to 329 nautical miles

• Modularized hydraulics and triple cargo hooks

• Composite, manual-folding, tandem-rotor blades with three blades per hub

Source / Credit: The Boeing Company