Distinguished Unit Flies Latest Twinrotor Helicopters

Boeing announced Monday a fourth US Army unit has fielded the CH-47F Chinook helicopter. Company B, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, is based at Fort Bragg, NC.

"Fielding the new CH-47F Chinook continues the proud heritage of the unit's aviation history," said Capt. John Gunter, Commander, B Company, 3rd GSAB, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. "The capability of this aircraft will maximize our performance in missions around the world, today and well into the future."

The 82nd Airborne "Flippers" have a long and distinguished history of using the Chinook to conduct both military and humanitarian support missions around the world. The division has received numerous accolades for its service from Vietnam to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Fielding the CH-47F is another significant milestone to add to the 82nd's lineage.

"The advanced features of the new aircraft significantly increase the unit's mission capability," said Tommy Filler, director, Boeing CH-47F Program. "Our quality commitment and daily focus on the production line is 'Soldiers First.' The successful performance of the CH-47F helicopter in theater is a direct result of that commitment."

The CH-47F, built at Boeing's Rotorcraft Systems facility in Ridley Township, PA, features a newly designed, modernized airframe, a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit and a BAE Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS).

The CAAS greatly improves aircrew situational awareness, and DAFCS provides dramatically improved flight-control capabilities through the entire flight envelope, significantly improved performance, and safety in the harshest of environments.

CAAS also incorporates an advanced digital map display and a data transfer system that allows storing of preflight and mission data. Improved survivability features include the Common Missile Warning and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser systems.

Powered by two 4,733-horsepower Honeywell engines, the new CH-47F can reach speeds greater than 175 mph and transport more than 21,000 pounds. The CH-47F, with the Robertson Aviation Extended Range Fuel System, has a mission radius of more than 400 nautical miles.

FMI: www.boeing.com/ids, www.bragg.army.mil/82avn/