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Demand Drives Chinook Production To 2020
Jun 8, 2011
By Robert Wall, Amy Butler
PHILADELPHIA — A strong showing during Afghanistan war operations has driven enough U.S. and international CH-47 Chinook interest to assure production until the end of the decade.
The situation is a sharp turnaround from a mere eight years ago. At that time, Boeing had 32 aircraft on order and a fleet of 621 helicopters. At the time production was projected to cease around 2013. Now the fleet has grown to more than 777 helos, with 210 more on order, proposals in for 37 more and campaigns under way for 214, according to Boeing’s Chinook vice president, Leane Caret.
The biggest pending order is for the second multiyear production lot for the U.S. Army, with 155 CH-47Fs slated to be purchased starting in 2013.
This month the Army also is expected to sign a contract for eight MH-47Gs, the latest and last batch planned to be acquired for the 160th Regiment. The Army also is discussing which features available on the latest MH-47Gs will be backfitted to the 61 bought earlier.
In the U.K., Boeing is still waiting for the contract for 14 more CH-47s to be finalized. Critical design review for that version, the Mk.6 with a Thales flight deck, is due in September. Long-lead items have already been ordered, with production due to begin early next year if the order is finalized.
The Netherlands, which has six CH-47Fs on order, should start taking delivery of its first aircraft in the fourth quarter. The country also is looking to buy perhaps 11 more.
Other possible customers include Turkey, with a potential sale of six CH-47Fs; an unidentified Middle East customer looking to possibly buy 16; and Australia, where Boeing is hoping to place seven “Fs.” Caret hopes the foreign military sales deal with Australia will close this year.
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/asd/2011/06/08/04.xml&headline=Demand
Jun 8, 2011
By Robert Wall, Amy Butler
PHILADELPHIA — A strong showing during Afghanistan war operations has driven enough U.S. and international CH-47 Chinook interest to assure production until the end of the decade.
The situation is a sharp turnaround from a mere eight years ago. At that time, Boeing had 32 aircraft on order and a fleet of 621 helicopters. At the time production was projected to cease around 2013. Now the fleet has grown to more than 777 helos, with 210 more on order, proposals in for 37 more and campaigns under way for 214, according to Boeing’s Chinook vice president, Leane Caret.
The biggest pending order is for the second multiyear production lot for the U.S. Army, with 155 CH-47Fs slated to be purchased starting in 2013.
This month the Army also is expected to sign a contract for eight MH-47Gs, the latest and last batch planned to be acquired for the 160th Regiment. The Army also is discussing which features available on the latest MH-47Gs will be backfitted to the 61 bought earlier.
In the U.K., Boeing is still waiting for the contract for 14 more CH-47s to be finalized. Critical design review for that version, the Mk.6 with a Thales flight deck, is due in September. Long-lead items have already been ordered, with production due to begin early next year if the order is finalized.
The Netherlands, which has six CH-47Fs on order, should start taking delivery of its first aircraft in the fourth quarter. The country also is looking to buy perhaps 11 more.
Other possible customers include Turkey, with a potential sale of six CH-47Fs; an unidentified Middle East customer looking to possibly buy 16; and Australia, where Boeing is hoping to place seven “Fs.” Caret hopes the foreign military sales deal with Australia will close this year.
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/asd/2011/06/08/04.xml&headline=Demand
