HH-47 Variant Bidder For CSAR-X Deal

Days after submitting its final proposal revision for the US Air Force combat search and rescue helicopter contract, Boeing announced Wednesday it delivered 36 Chinook helicopters to US Army and international customers in 2007, meeting scheduled commitments and matching the program's performance during the Army's model upgrade program in the early 1990s.

"The aircraft deliveries by the Chinook program in 2007 reflect the outstanding performance of Boeing Rotorcraft Systems employees and all the members of Team Chinook," said Jack Dougherty, Boeing director of H-47 Programs. "This reflects a consistent record of performance by the program."

The Chinook manufacturing facility in Ridley Park, PA delivered four MH-47Gs, 30 CH-47Fs and two international aircraft in 2007, just 13 months after the first CH-47F rolled off the production line.

"This is significant for the program because these Chinooks demonstrate our ability to bring the product to the warfighter quickly," said Ken Eland, Boeing CH-47F program manager. "This is a very talented team building the Chinook on a production line capable of higher manufacturing levels. This level of performance enables us to meet our customers' future needs."

Under the Army's Chinook modernization program, Boeing will produce 513 aircraft, including 61 MH-47G special operations aircraft and 452 CH-47Fs. Chinooks also are operated by 15 countries worldwide, and Boeing is working with several countries who have expressed interest in the new CH-47F.

The CH-47F features a newly designed, modernized airframe, a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit and a BAE Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS).

Advanced avionics also incorporate improved situational awareness for flight crews with an advanced digital map display and a data transfer system that allows storing of preflight and mission data. Improved survivability features include Common Missile Warning and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser Systems. The entire suite of improved cockpit capabilities will apply to other H-47 models... including Boeing's contender for CSAR-X, the HH-47 (shown below).

Powered by two 4,868-horsepower Honeywell engines, the new CH-47F can reach speeds greater than 175 mph and transport more than 21,000 lbs. 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