Boeing has won an contract to validate technology for upgrading capabilities of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook tandem rotor helicopters operat...
Boeing has won an contract to validate technology for upgrading capabilities of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook tandem rotor helicopters operated by US Army.
Boeing will build and test three U.S. Army CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters as part of a modernization effort that will likely bring another 15-20 years of work to the company's Philadelphia site.
US Army had recently awarded Boeing a $276 million contract to fund development of these helicopters. The series of upgrades will pave the way for the Chinook to remain operational through 2060.
The Block II variant of the CH-47F will have an 2000 lb payload lifting increase from the present 20,000 lb of F variants.
An improved drivetrain will transfer greater power from the engines to the all-new, swept-tip Advanced Chinook Rotor Blades, which have been engineered to lift 1,500 additional pounds on their own.
The current configuration of six fuel tanks – three on each side – will become two, allowing the aircraft to carry more fuel and shed weight. Additionally, the fuselage’s structure will be strengthened in critical areas to allow the aircraft to carry additional payload.#Chinook Block II upgrades = advanced rotor blades, redesigned fuel tanks, enhanced fuselage + improved drivetrain https://t.co/fpavpewwlv pic.twitter.com/q6pSU4liVr— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) July 28, 2017
Boeing will begin building the test aircraft next year. The test program begins in 2019 and first delivery of the Block II Chinook is expected in 2023. Eventually, the Army will upgrade more than 500 Chinooks to Block II configuration.
