Aviation says 50 years after the first flight of the Boeing [BA] heavy lift CH-47F Chinook helicopter, the program offers no concerns to service and budget leaders. Maj. Gen. Tim Crosby said he has “no worries, no issues” with Chinook program, while at Boeing facilities here at the ceremonial opening of the refurbished factory. The future of Army aviation will depend on the fiscal state of the nation’s budget, and how the Army plays into it in the struggle for funds, he said. “We will pick areas which we think are critical and focus on that,” Crosby said. The future looks like continuous improvements for the Chinook, to include such things as a new floor, rotorblades and armor. The bottom line is still a focus on reducing the burden on the soldier, to allow him to do the mission better, and reducing maintenance and sustainment costs, he said.
Jean Chamberlain, vice president and general manager mobility at Boeing, said the company emphasizes affordability and delivery of the most capability at the lowest cost. The goal is to increase production rates and reduce costs. Boeing is also working on its proposal for another multi-year contract, with a 10 percent cost reduction. This will be delivered to the Army a month early, in November, Chamberlain said.
Crosby said a 10 percent reduction is possible, because Chinook is not a new build helicopter and it would be possible to reduce costs. He expects the contract award in January 2013. In a tight budget environment, multiyear contracts lock up funds for five years, so Crosby said sometimes budgeteers are reluctant to move forward, but his position is he’d like to do multiyear contracts. The future for the Chinook is not clear at this point, he said. Would there be an H model or a new helicopter? “The reality is what can we afford.” In Crosby’s opinion, everyone has to take “appetite suppressant” and take risk in some areas and deliver upgrades, or remanufactured aircraft. “Aviation has done fairly well in budget deliberations, and the commitment to modernization strategy is firm,” he said.
Col. Robert Marion, project manager, Cargo Helicopters, said last month he set up a Product Manager CH-47 Modernization office, led by Col. Joseph Hocherl. Additionally, work is being done on incorporating a ballistic protection system on the floor. Crosby foresees that budget pressures will help drive the service to partner more closely with industry for the maximum use of Army science and technology and industry internal research and development.
Chamberlain said the company talks to aviators who have been deployed and prioritizes what soldiers have said, look at specific technologies and see where emerging warfighter needs and technologies converge. Crosby says such partnerships can achieve what’s necessary and working across programs and services to ensure soldiers get what they need.
Meanwhile, the newly refurbished factory will be producing four aircraft a month, moving up to five per month based on international work, Leanne Caret, vice president, H-47 Programs at Boeing, said. In August, Boeing received a $1.64 billion contract from the U.K. Ministry of Defence to provide 14 new CH-47 Chinook helicopters and associated support for the first five years to the Royal Air Force.
The factory could move to a six aircraft per month rate, if the next multiyear contract is in place and requires it in 2013. Also, Caret said, Boeing is on contract for engineering and long-lead items for eight new build CH-47G Chinooks for special operations. Production will be considered in the future. A long-time Chinook pilot, Crosby was pleased to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the helicopters’ first flight. “I love flying it. I love flying a different mission every day and I miss it,” Crosby said about Chinooks.