US Army orders nine more Block II Chinooks
Chinooks are used by the US Army for a range of operations, including medical evacuation, search and rescue, and disaster relief
The US Army has ordered nine more CH-47F Block II Chinooks from Boeing, worth a combined $461 million, via two contract awards.
The Lot 4 and 5 awards will increase the number of Block II Chinooks under contract to the US Army to 18 units. Of these, six aircraft have so far been delivered, and are currently undergoing evaluation of their enhanced capabilities.
Boeing also stated that it was working closely with the US Army on a path forward for Lot 6.
The CH-47F Block II features an improved drivetrain and airframe that increases the maximum gross weight by 4,000lb (1,814.4kg), as well as an improved fuel system.
The Chinook is the US Army’s only heavy-lift cargo helicopter. It supports both combat operations and secondary mission types such as medical evacuation (medevac), search and rescue (SAR), disaster relief, and parachute drops.
The Japanese military recently placed an order for 17 Block II Chinooks earlier this year.
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.