Boeing and the US Army have signed a contract for the manufacture and delivery of the first CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters.
The total value of the production contract is valued at $136m.
According to the company, the contract is the result of the US Army exercising options and includes four contracted CH-47F Block II Chinooks.
Delivery of these aircraft is scheduled to commence in 2023.
Meanwhile, the US Army separately awarded Boeing a $29m advanced procurement contract for the CH-47F Block II aircraft second production lot.
The CH-47F Block II Chinook is currently in flight test. It brings key modernisation upgrades to the US Army’s Chinook fleet.
Boeing Cargo and Utility Helicopters vice-president H-47 programme manager Andy Builta said: “This is a big step in Chinook modernisation, supporting the army’s future multi-domain vision.
“The Block II technologies will drive commonality across the fleet and enable our soldiers to return home safely for decades.”
The CH-47 Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift advanced multi-mission helicopter. It is designed to conduct troop movement, artillery positioning and battlefield resupply missions.
The Block II Chinook has several upgrades that aim to provide additional lift capability. These upgrades are also aimed at increasing similarity between US and allied fleets. They help in minimising maintenance costs.
In July, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) received the first two of four new CH-47F Chinook helicopters from the US.
