Boeing delivers upgraded Chinook to US Army
Boeing has delivered the first US Army CH-47 Chinook modernized to Block II configuration
The aircraft is the first of up to 465 Chinooks owned by the US Army that will be upgraded to the new configuration as part of the army’s modernization plans.
The upgraded Chinook features an “improved drivetrain; a reinforced airframe; and an enhanced fuel system”. It can also carry an additional 4,000lb (1,814kg) of maximum gross weight, and has been redesigned to enable future technology upgrades.
The improvement is also expected to improve the reliability of the rotor system, simplify the fuel system, and reduce the cost and time needed to maintain both.
“The CH-47F Block II provides capability improvements allowing the US Army to lift more, fly farther and maintain their aircraft better than ever before,” said Heather McBryan, Vice President and Program Manager, Cargo Programs at Boeing.
Boeing also secured a $271 million contract to supply six new Block II Chinooks to the US military in December 2023.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.