Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2024.
Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $29,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-21-F-0465).
CH-47F Block II
Helis.com - The new generation CH-47F Block II features new rotor blades, fuel system, electrical system and a stronger airframe that brings capacity up to a maximum gross weight of 54,000 lbs ~ 24 ton.
Major Block II improvements include:
- Reduced weight ballistic protection system
- Redesigned flight control system; Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS)
- Upgraded drive train system; Improved Drive Train (IDT)
- New rotor blade design (ACRB)
- Redesigned fuel system; Lightweight Fuel System (LFS)
- Updated Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS)
The program traces back to 2017 when the US Army ordered three Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) prototypes with expected delivery in 2023 with the intention of eventually upgrade around 500 Chinooks to the new configuration.
The CH-47F Chinook Block II EMD performed first flight on March 2019 but one month later the US Army announced intention to cut the planned Block II upgrade arguing that new priorities were focused in possible conflicts against China or Russia where the new FVL programs will be more important. The House Appropriations Defense subcommittee ruled against the Army changes.
In 2020 were identified issues with the new aircraft including excessive vibration from the new Advanced Chinook Rotor Blades (ACRB) and the fuel cell failing to self-seal in ballistic tests. The prototype returned to flight testing this year and problems seem now resolved.
Boeing has now been awarded $391 million contract to build the first operational lot of five CH-47F Block II with planned delivery in 2025.
See also |
CH-47F Chinook in
US Army Aviation Boeing to Build Three CH-47F Block II Test Aircraft
CH-47F Block II First Flight
CH-47F Block II in
US Army Aviation 
