Boeing Delivers First CH-47F Chinook to U.S. Army
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has completed delivery of the first remanufactured CH-47F Chinook helicopter to the U.S. Army.
An Army aircrew recently flew the aircraft -- an Engineering and Manufacturing Development, or EMD, prototype -- from the Boeing Flight Test Center here to Ft. Campbell, Ky. The new Chinook was prepared there for display at the Army Aviation Association of America, or AAAA, annual meeting, May 12-15, in Nashville, Tenn.
The Chinook, serial number 8002, is one of two EMD prototypes manufactured for the Army's CH-47F Modernization Program. Boeing has utilized the two aircraft, both of which began flight and system validation testing in 2001, for maintainability validation and aircrew training. Aircraft 8002 is scheduled to begin test flights in the Army's Lead the Fleet program at Fort Rucker, Ala., after the AAAA convention. This program will collect the data necessary to validate the operations and support cost reductions resulting from the F-model improvements.
The Army plans to upgrade 300 of its 432 CH-47Ds to the F-model configuration, which will keep Chinooks in the Army rotary wing fleet at least through the mid-2030s. Additional upgrades also are planned for Special Operations Chinooks in service with U.S. Army Special Forces units.
Modernized CH-47Fs will feature reduced vibration, improved avionics and more powerful engines to improve mission performance and reduce operation and maintenance costs. The first production CH-47F is scheduled to begin modernization at the Boeing Army Programs/Rotorcraft program management facility in suburban Philadelphia in January 2003. Boeing will begin deliveries in mid-2004.
The Boeing Company is the world's largest manufacturer of satellites, commercial jetliners and military aircraft. In terms of sales, Boeing is the largest exporter in the United States. Total company revenues for 2001 were $58 billion.
Boeing Military Aircraft and Missile Systems designs, produces and provides follow-on support for fighters, bombers, transports, rotorcraft and weapons for the United States and its allies around the globe. As the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer, Boeing has delivered more than 130,000 military aircraft to the U.S. government and international customers. Among emerging businesses are unmanned systems, as well as military aircraft that are based on the company's renowned commercial airplanes.
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