Boeing

Boeing has completed contract negotiations with the U.S. Army for the purchase of seven new Boeing CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift helicopters that will be delivered to the Greek Army under a Foreign Military Sale program. The value of the FMS program is in excess of $200 million.

Charles Vehlow, vice president and general manager, Boeing Rotorcraft, said, "We are pleased that Greece's Ministry of Defense recognizes that the Chinook is a key combat support tool for its armed forces. Expansion of its Chinook fleet from nine to 16 will enhance the Hellenic Army's ability to provide civil relief services, including fire fighting. CH-47s have a distinguished record of service in Greece, and the Boeing team is proud to know that Chinooks will be flying there for many more decades."

The Chinooks, to be manufactured at Boeing in Philadelphia and delivered in 2001, will join nine CH-47Ds originally produced as C-models under license by Italy's Agusta Elicotteri Meridionali and modernized by Boeing.

Boeing will utilize new Super D tooling and manufacturing processes to produce D-model Chinooks for the Greek Ministry of Defense to maintain operational compatibility with the current Greek Army Chinook fleet.

The Boeing Chinook is the world's most reliable and effective heavy-lift helicopter. Tandem rotor configuration provides exceptional lift in "high-hot" conditions, with useful loads up to 28,000 lbs. (12,712 kg), and excellent controllability in conditions that curtail conventional helicopter flight. Large external and internal load capabilities and high airspeeds allow the Chinook to do the work of three utility helicopters and give it among the lowest cost-per-ton-nautical-mile profiles available.

The Boeing Company develops and produces military rotorcraft for customers worldwide. Among its products are the CH-47 Chinook, the AH-64D Apache Longbow, the RAH-66 Comanche and the V-22 Osprey.

99-169