Deal Includes Newly Manufactured And Remanufactured Choppers

Boeing inked a deal with the US Army on December 19, 2006 valued at more than $1.5 billion for up to 66 CH-47F Chinook helicopters.

The production contracts include 16 new-build CH-47Fs and nine remanufactured CH-47Fs valued at $624 million. The contracts also include options for 22 additional new-build CH-47Fs and 19 remanufactured CH-47Fs valued at more than $920 million. Aircraft deliveries will begin in early 2008.

"These contract awards illustrate the Chinook's importance as a multi-mission asset to the U.S. military," said Jack Dougherty, director, H-47 Programs. "The CH-47F is central to the U.S. Army's aviation modernization program and will remain in service for decades to come."

"The contracts also reflect the need for the Chinook to support our Army warfighters in meeting their tactical and combat support missions around the world," said Ken Eland, CH-47F program director. "We are extremely pleased with the Army's confidence in Boeing to continue to build these magnificent helicopters."

As ANN reported, Boeing just won a $10 billion contract to replace the USAF's search and rescue chopper fleet with 141 of its HH-47 helicopters, a Chinook variant. The USAF also uses another Chinook spinoff, the MH-47, for special operations.

The CH-47F features a newly designed, modernized airframe and a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System advanced digital cockpit to meet the needs of current and future warfighters. The helicopter's advanced avionics provide improved situational awareness for flight crews with an advanced digital map display and a data transfer system that stores pre-flight and mission data.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.army.mil, www.af.mil