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.