Boeing has secured a significant contract worth $876.4 million to deliver up to 60 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to the US Army. This comprehensive agreement encompasses performance-based logistics, training, and non-recurring engineering services.
The manufacturing and assembly of these helicopters will take place at Boeing’s facility in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date set for October 2035. Oversight for this contract will be managed by the US Army’s Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, with funding allocated from fiscal 2026 resources designated for Germany.
The helicopters involved in this agreement will all be of the Block II variant, a modernized iteration of the Chinook that enhances performance, range, and survivability. The Block II helicopters are equipped with a fortified airframe, an advanced drivetrain, a redesigned fuel system, and upgraded avionics. These enhancements contribute to an increased payload capacity and improved operational efficiency.
In addition, the Block II model integrates new flight controls featuring a Digital Advanced Flight Control System, enhanced electrical systems, and the capacity for future upgrades to ensure longevity and adaptability in various mission scenarios.
The US Army has plans to ultimately upgrade more than 400 of its current CH-47F Block I helicopters to the Block II standard, further expanding their operational capabilities.
Before this recent contract, Boeing secured a $461 million deal for nine CH-47F Block II Chinooks last month, alongside a separate order worth $135 million in December 2024 for three additional helicopters.
The CH-47F Chinook boasts an impressive design, measuring 98 feet (30 meters) in length, with a rotor diameter of 80 feet (18 meters). The helicopter can accommodate up to 55 personnel and transport around 24,000 pounds (10,886 kilograms) of cargo or 20 medical stretchers, depending on mission requirements.
Operation of the CH-47F requires a crew of three, and it is powered by twin Honeywell T55-GA-714A engines, each producing approximately 4,700 horsepower. With a maximum speed of 170 knots (196 miles per hour), a range of 1,200 nautical miles (1,399 miles), and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet (6,096 meters), the Chinook is a versatile asset in the US Army’s aviation fleet, capable of meeting a wide range of operational demands.
