The US Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) has ordered two more MH-47G Chinook Block II helicopters as it seeks to complete its contract for 46 units of this type of rotorcraft.
Boeing, the original equipment manufacturer of the Chinook, was allocated $115m to deliver the two latest units in June, read an Army statement on 1 August 2024.
“Whether it’s operating in the dead of night or in difficult terrain, the MH-47G Block II is a proven workhorse for special operations,” said Heather McBryan, Cargo Programs vice president and program manager for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “It is our privilege to support ongoing USASOAC modernisation efforts that will continue to have a real-world impact on US national security.”
Boeing was originally contracted for six of these new-generation units in December 2023 in a deal worth $271m.
The helicopter’s tandem rotor design provides for increased stability and control, agility, ease of loading and unloading and performance in wind. It can fly at up to 20,000 feet.
Block II employs an open systems approach to accommodate for future technologies. The iteration consists of redesigned fuel tanks, a strengthened fuselage, and an improved drivetrain, according to supplier.
Alongside Special Operations, the regular Army service has also made efforts to modernise its existing CH-47F fleet to the Block II iteration. as Boeing delivered the first of 465 units at the beginning of July.
With 3.4% of the North American military rotorcraft market, Boeing was projected to be the second-largest shareholder in the region. The company is expected to garner business worth $2.4bn over the next ten years owing to its contracts for the H-47 Chinooks with the US Army, according to GlobalData’s ‘The Global Military Rotorcraft Market 2023-2033’ report.
Additional reporting from Harry McNeil.
