Boeing to Upgrade 500 Chinook Helicopters for US Army
Construction of the test aircraft is expected to begin next year, while the first delivery of Block II Chinook is scheduled for 2023
Dan Arkin
| 02/08/2017
Chinook heavy-lift helicopters (Photo courtesy of Boeing)
Boeing has secured a $276m contract from the US Army for CH-47F Chinook Block II upgrade program. The CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter is one of the two candidates to replace the IAF's aging CH-53 helicopters currently in use.
Under the contract, the company will build and test three upgraded Chinook helicopters. Construction of the test aircraft is expected to begin next year, while the first delivery of Block II Chinook is scheduled for 2023. The army will eventually upgrade more than 500 Chinooks to Block II configuration.
Boeing Cargo Helicopters vice-president and H-47 program manager Chuck Dabundo said: "The fact that the US Army continues to use and value this platform and they are intending to continue to upgrade it to keep it flying for decades to come is a testament to the capabilities the Chinook team continues to bring."
According to Army Technology, the Chinooks will be upgraded with an improved drivetrain and rotor blades. The current configuration of six fuel tanks will be reduced to two, allowing the aircraft to carry more fuel and shed weight. The fuselage’s structure will be strengthened in critical areas, allowing the aircraft to carry an additional payload.
The CH-47F features a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, as well as a common aviation architecture cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities.
[Source: Army Technology]
Construction of the test aircraft is expected to begin next year, while the first delivery of Block II Chinook is scheduled for 2023
Chinook heavy-lift helicopters (Photo courtesy of Boeing)
Boeing has secured a $276m contract from the US Army for CH-47F Chinook Block II upgrade program. The CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter is one of the two candidates to replace the IAF's aging CH-53 helicopters currently in use.
Under the contract, the company will build and test three upgraded Chinook helicopters. Construction of the test aircraft is expected to begin next year, while the first delivery of Block II Chinook is scheduled for 2023. The army will eventually upgrade more than 500 Chinooks to Block II configuration.
Boeing Cargo Helicopters vice-president and H-47 program manager Chuck Dabundo said: "The fact that the US Army continues to use and value this platform and they are intending to continue to upgrade it to keep it flying for decades to come is a testament to the capabilities the Chinook team continues to bring."
According to Army Technology, the Chinooks will be upgraded with an improved drivetrain and rotor blades. The current configuration of six fuel tanks will be reduced to two, allowing the aircraft to carry more fuel and shed weight. The fuselage’s structure will be strengthened in critical areas, allowing the aircraft to carry an additional payload.
The CH-47F features a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, as well as a common aviation architecture cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities.
[Source: Army Technology]
