One month ahead of schedule, Boeing [BA] has delivered the first multi-year II configured CH-47F Chinook helicopter to the Army.
A ceremony at the Ridley Township, Pa., Boeing plant marked the delivery.
“This delivery is an example of teamwork and commitment to the troops in the field,” said Col. Rob Barrie, project manager, Cargo Helicopter Office, accepting the aircraft for the Army.
Photo: Boeing
Boeing was awarded a $4 billion multi-year contract in June 2013 that included 155 CH-47Fs and options for an additional 60 aircraft (Defense Daily, June 6, 2013). The work is expected to save the government some $800 million. Deliveries for this contract are expected to continue through 2019.
International customers on contract to receive this advanced configuration include Australia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
“This delivery demonstrates Boeing’s ongoing commitment to our customers,” said Steve Parker, vice president, Cargo Helicopter & H-47 programs. “Experienced teams worked together to deliver the advanced, multi-mission capability of this aircraft to meet the Army’s needs today and well into the future.”
The multi-year II configuration incorporates a number of product improvements such as the new Cargo-On-Off-Loading system that enables rapid re-configuration of the floor for cargo missions.
The new floor has rapidly reconfigurable flip-over rollers, a pallet locking system and sub-floor ballistic protection. It is built for Boeing by United Technologies [UTX].
The configuration also includes the Cargo Platform Heath Environment system that provides real-time health monitoring to further reduce maintenance actions and ultimately reduce the overall life cycle cost of the product.