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.