The New Chinooks: Boeing’s Modern H-47 Heavy-Lift Helicopters

DII FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record; this FOCUS Article covers the CH-47F/MH-47G Chinook helicopter programs, in the USA and abroad. These helicopters’ distinctive “flying banana” twin-rotor design stems from the brilliant work of aviation pioneer Frank Piasecki. It gives Chinooks the ability to adjust their positioning very precisely, while carrying a large airframe whose load capacity has made it the world’s most popular heavy-lift helicopter. The USA expects to be operating Chinooks in their heavy-lift role past 2030.
The CH-47F looks similar to earlier models, but offers a wide range of improvements in almost every aspect of design and performance. While the related HH-47’s $10-15 billion CSAR-X program win was terminated, delivery orders continue for CH-47Fs and for MH-47G Special Forces configuration helicopters. International orders or formal requests have also come in from Australia, Britain, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the UAE, with India and other countries expected to follow.
The New Chinooks: CH-47F, MH-47G, HH-47
CH-47F Family: Initial Improvements
Manufacturing Advances
Variants
Planned MYP-II improvements
The USA’s Acquisition Plan
Global Contracts and Key Events
FY 2016 – 2023
FY 2015
FY 2014 – 2015
FY 2013
FY 2012
FY 2011
FY 2010
FY 2009
FY 2008
FY 2006 – 2007
Appendix A: Reconciling Previous Contracts and Numbers
Additional Readings
Background: Helicopters
National CH-47F Family Variants
News & Views
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