$461M Deal Raises Total Contract To 18 Aircraft

Boeing announced that the U.S. Army has awarded it two separate contracts for the purchase of nine CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters, a deal worth $461 million. The company said the order increases the number of aircraft under contract to 18.

The contracts come after the Army recently decided to field the Block II aircraft as rapidly as possible, allowing them to be procured in FY25 and FY26.

Heather McBryan, Vice President and Program Manager at Cargo Programs for Boeing Defense, Space & Security division said, “The rapid succession of contracts indicates that the Chinook will continue to play an important role in the US Army’s family-of-systems, particularly in a contested logistics environment.”

The Army said that the helicopters will support two Combat Aviation Brigades to update the service’s heavy-lift capabilities for future large-scale combat operations.

The Chinook is the heavy-lift helicopter of choice for the U.S. Army and 20 other international operators. It is an advanced, tandem rotor, multi-mission helicopter used for cargo and troop transport, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, special ops, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and more.

The Block II Chinook is a revision of the Block I aircraft with improvements to the drivetrain and airframe. The enhancements raise the Block II’s weight capacity by an additional 4,000 pounds to transport more personnel, supplies, and fuel over longer distances and higher speeds.

Boeing has so far delivered six of the CH-47F Block II production aircraft to the Army, who is now evaluating them to showcase their improved capabilities.

Boeing stated the CH-47F Block II will meet the Army’s goal of flying for at least another 40 years.

FMI:  www.boeing.com/