The Army expects to keep flying the CH-47 Chinook multi-mission cargo helicopter built by Boeing [BA] in service for another 60 years or more, and the Cargo Helicopter office has already begun planning for a Block II for the current CH-47F rotorcraft, a service official said.
The potential $14.3 billion CH-47F procurement program is in full production. It was fielded to the first operational unit in July 2007, and has been used in combat since then. The Chinook marked its 50-year anniversary in 2012.
Photo: Boeing
The Army now has just under 347 (CH-47F) fielded, Col. Robert Barrie, project manager, Cargo Helicopters, said. “We’ll continue procurement through 2017 and 464 would be the full complement.”
In addition to building and fielding F models, the Cargo Helicopter office is planning for the next 50 years to 2060. “We say it’s really becoming the Army’s B-52.”
Putting a mark on the wall—2060—“allows us to develop a blocking strategy to ensure the Chinook platform remains relevant” throughout remainder of its life, he said.
Block 1 is the existing CH-47F; the next version will be Block II.
“As we develop a blocking strategy, we’re looking for value propositions to buy back some of performance lost due to additional equipment over time,” Barrie said.
Over time, the well-intentioned and necessary things added to the aircraft, and that adds weight, he said. Commanders see that weight brings a decrease in performance.
There is no approved Block 2 strategy yet, but “what we’re doing, is laying out this strategy that we feel is a logical method for maintaining performance,” he said.
That means weight reduction, improved rotorblades that increases the max gross weight, and if the aircraft is allowed to weigh more, standard engineering changes that would be done over time.
The current aircraft is 50,000 pounds. Block 2 will increase the weight to 54,000 pounds. That allows the helicopter to carry 4,000 pounds more payload that it could carry before.
Another potential Block 2 modification the office is looking at is reducing the six individual fuel tanks to two, integrating them into a single tank. That allows the removal of a lot of pumping equipment, wiring and items that move fuel to the engine. That removes about 100 pounds, so there’s space for more fuel. That permits a commander to be more flexible in planning and executing missions.
Aviation is moving toward crashworthy and self-healing fuel systems. Currently, special operations aviation has one tank on each side of the helicopter, so the Cargo Helicopter office is looking to them to lead the way to the solution.
An Advanced Chinook Rotorblade in development would add 1,500 pounds of performance to the Chinook, which will improve thrust/lift in high and hot conditions.
“We’re really looking to key in on value propositions where we can,” Barrie said. The Army doesn’t want to add performance just for the sake of it. They are looking at what is affordable and what are the best opportunities to increase payload or reduce weight on the aircraft.
Another potential Block II modification would make improvements in the electrical system. Specifically, they’re looking at making transformer rectifier units regulated, making power cleaner, adding a third generator for emergency power, he said. There’s potential to add a location on the aft transmission.
That third generator, in an emergency, would run all the electrical systems longer, aside from the battery, or if instruments are needed with reliable power.
Right now, modifications are being fielded to the F model, such as the Cargo On/Off Loading system (COOLS). COOLS replaces a system that is used to require several hours and several people time to install it on the aircraft. Installing COOLS takes “one flight engineer 15-20 minutes,” Barrie said. The system flips over from anti-static to a roller side, depending on whether the Chinook is carrying troops or cargo. As well, ballistic blankets have been replaced by panels under the floor.
While Block II is not yet a program of record, the strategy is being developed. Barrie said the office is looking at the first quarter of 2015 to get into the acquisition process.