Boeing continues to work to maintain the H-47 Chinook at the edge as well as looking to new customers in addition to upgrading programmes and support services and activities to current operators.
With nearly 60 years of service, the Chinook is today in service with 20 countries with 950+ aircraft but continues to evolve to meet the latest and future operational needs, said Dave Palm, Director Vertical Lift Global Sales & Marketing during the Boeing’s Pre-Virtual Farnborough Air Show Media Days conference call with international media. The latest Chinook CH-47F Block II programme will bolster the US Army and current and future international operators CH-47F capabilities by integrating new technologies into the platform, including the advanced Chinook rotor blades, an improved transmission, redesigned fuel tanks and an enhanced fuselage, all aimed at increasing payload, providing commonality across the fleet and creating a foundation for affordable future upgrades. Notwithstanding the COVID 19 pandemic, Boeing is working hard to execute the Chinook CH-47F Block II engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) flight test in support of the US Army’s schedule, said Terry “TJ” Jamison, Director, Vertical Lift International Sales Global Sales & Marketing.
The key decision on this programme, which will have a major impact on the Boeing aircraft future, will come with the Milestone C being expected in 4Q FY2021, with the launch of the Low Rate Initial Production of the Block II soon after, according to US Army latest plans. Boeing is however under contract and already working on the MH-47G Block II programme for the US Army Special Operations Aviation Command (SOAC) with the first aircraft already on the assembly line for the expected delivery later this year. On parallel to the Block II developments, under the Cooperative Research and Development programme with the US Army and General Electric, Boeing is working to test and demonstrate the GE T-408 turbofan which can provide up to 7,500 shp (compared to current 4,868 shp for each engine) with a new transmission, airframe and systems modifications, ensuring enhanced operational capabilities to the Chinook. A first flight is expected in a couple of months, said Randy Rotte, Director Vertical Lift-Cargo/Utility/Future Vertical Lift, Global Sales & Marketing. Under the same programme, the US Army entered into an agreement with Howeywell, the current engine provider of the Chinook, to demonstrate and fly its upgraded T55-GA-714C 6,000-horsepower engine, which is 25% more powerful and consumes 10% less fuel than the current T55 engine among other benefits, and requiring almost no airframe changes.
To keep its Chinook production line busy for manyyears to come, in addition to new platform developments, Boeing is activelyinvolved in marketing and sales campaigns worldwide, from Europe to Middle Eastand Pacific for both new production and upgrade programmes, as well assupporting activities. In addition to the baseline CH-47F Block I, Boeing alsoproposes the H-47 Extended Range (ER) version (like the one in service withCanada and centered on more capable fuel tanks) which can be customized to fitthe user’s unique requirements, with capabilities like air-to-air refueling, whichhas been in use on the Chinook for decades.
In additionto the lasting support activities and upgrading programmes to latest CH-47Fversion of current NATO customers, including Canada, Greece, Italy, Spain,Turkey, the Netherlands and the UK, Boeing is working hard to won the SchwererTransporthubschrauber (STH) competition in Germany, while France has showedconcrete interest in the tandem rotors helicopter. Boeing recently deliveredthe first of the new CH-47F Chinooks to the Royal Netherlands Air Force on-costand on schedule. Boeing will continue to deliver these FMS aircraft through theend of this year according to TJ Jamison, who also underlined that the Chinookhas been the workhorse of the Royal Netherlands Air Force for 25 years now, andthey needed well-deserved upgrades.
Italy also ordered 16 ICH-47F aircraft in a customized configuration for Italian Army Aviation needs, which are all in service. The acquisition programme for additional four H-47 in the Extended Range (ER) version for special operations has been mothballed even if the operational need remains, although to be accomplished by existing assets but with different capabilities.
InSeptember 2018, the Spanish MoD took the decision to modernize the in-servicefleet of 17 CH-47D to the Foxtrot version. In addition to the integration ofdigital automatic flight control system and the common avionics architecturesystem there will be modification also to the internal and externalfitting/slinging capacities. Boeing continues to work through the manufacturingprocess to modernize the Spanish Chinook fleet anddeliveries arescheduled to begin next year, said TJ Jamison. Turkey, however, ordered 11CH-47F Chinooks via FMS andall aircraft have been delivered.
The UK MoDis well advanced in the on-going upgrade programme (to HC6A standard) to equipits earliest fleet of 38 HC4 (analogous to UK-customized CH-47Ds) Chinooks withBoeing’s DAFCS sided by the eight HC5 (equivalent to the US MH-47E plusUK-specific modifications) and 14 HC6 (equivalent to the CH-47F plusUK-specific modifications). With 60 Chinook currently in service, the USGovernment approved in October 2018 the possible procurement of a further 16H-47 Chinook in the so-called ER (Extended Range) version with similar US Army’sMH-47G standard special forces mission kit. However, no contract has yet beensigned for these additional helicopters.
Boeingprovided a comprehensive response to the German MoD’s BAAINBw invitation totender on 13 January 2020, meeting all of the criteria specified by theorganization, said Boeing representatives.Negotiations with the BAAINBware ongoing. Best and Final Offer should be submitted in October andparliamentary vote is expected in Q1 2021. Germany is looking at 44 to 60aircraft. Boeing is offering Germany the H-47 Extended Range, a model similarto that operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force with an air-to-air refuelingprobe.
Boeing isworking closely with the BAAINBw to provide a tailored solution that meets theGerman capability needs at minimum cost. Boeing is committed to having thesustainment and training as well as part of the production done in Germany andwill continue to build on and expand the Germany Chinook Industry Team. In 2018, Boeing announced a partnership with 10German companies for the STH competition and continues to build a strong Germanteam that will provide sustainment and maintenance of the Chinook over the next40-50 years, said TJ Jamison.
The French MoD and Special Forces Command have shownconcrete interest in the heavy transport helicopters capability: an internalworking group was set up in January 2019 at the Ministry of the Armed Forceswith representatives from the DGA, the Air Force and the Special OperationsCommand. “We are seeing the full benefit of hélicoptères de transport lourd(HTL) or heavy transport helicopters (HTL) in the context of OperationBarkhane, where our British friends have extended the engagement of their three(HC5 Chinook) helicopters until the summer of 2020”, said the Chief of FrenchAir Force in the 2020 defence budget hearing in October 2019. The UK MoDannounced last June that the deployment will be further extended for anundisclosed period. “In liaison with partners like Germany, Canada and theUnited Kingdom we are examining the possibility of training pilots and are alsoconsidering leasing this type of capacity”, he continued during the samehearing. Boeing confirmed to EDR On-Line that French Air Force and SpecialOperations Command requested information on the Chinook heavy-lift capability.Boeing hasn’t provided further details, but the French MoD is reported to belooking for leasing the latest Extended Range version of the Chinook in advanceto a potential acquisition in the post LPM 2019-2025 period.
The H-47 continues toattract interest and is being offered worldwide out of Europe and NATOcountries, for new-production tenders as well as upgrading and supportprogrammes, said Mark Ballew, Director Global Services & Support – GlobalSales & Marketing. Israel is a significant market and Boeing continues toengage with the customer, industry and key stakeholders, said TJ Jamison. Boeing isoffering the H-47 Extended Range, Block 2 aircraft toIsraelconfigured with the required Israeli equipment, mission kits and modifications,said TJ Jamison.
The solid backlog of Chinooks on order combined with potential new orders will maintain the production line for many years to come, obviously with fluctuations in quantities depending on sales for each year, said Randy Rotte. Looking to the future, Boeing considers having many opportunities across the globe in addition to current sales campaigns, either for new aircraft or upgrade as well as support programmes around the world, including Morocco, UAE, Norway, Egypt, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar and Korea, said TJ Jamison.
Photos courtesy Boeing
