The US Army has launched its Block 2 programme for the CH-47F that could see more than 500 Chinooks upgraded over the coming years. (US Army)
The US Army has launched Block 2 production of the Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, with the manufacturer announcing two awards valued at a combined USD165 million.
Boeing said on 4 October that USD136 million had been awarded for the first Block 2 Chinooks to be delivered in early 2023 (part of a wider award potentially valued at USD391.4 million), while another USD29 million had been granted for the second production lot of Block 2 Chinooks.
“This contract allows us to officially begin production of the Block 2 aircraft, and we believe this award, as well as recent testimony from US Army leaders, shows a strong commitment from our customer to this programme,” a Boeing spokesperson told Janes . “This also puts us in a strong position to support the US Army's heavy vertical lift needs well into the future.”
News of the awards came approximately two-and-a-half years after Boeing flew a Block 2-standard CH-47F Chinook for the first time. The milestone took place at the company's Philadelphia production facility in Pennsylvania in March 2019.
Boeing told Janes
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...