As part of a U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Military Sale (FMS), Boeing has received a contract to produce 18 CH-47F Block I Chinook Helicopters for South Korea and one additional aircraft for Spain.
The deal valued at up to $793 million represents the final aircraft to be ordered on the current CH-47F Block I FMS contract with the U.S. government.
Although production and deliveries of the CH-47F Block I will conclude with this order in 2027, Chinook modernization efforts will continue with the already underway H-47 Block II program.
Block II provides increased lift and range thanks to an improved drivetrain, a reinforced airframe and redesigned fuel tanks.
Currently, six Block II aircraft are under contract with the U.S. Army, 36 with U.S. Army Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and 14 with the United Kingdom. SOCOM have been receiving Block II aircraft for several years and the U.S. Army will receive its first CH-47F Block II in early 2024.
Block I and Block II aircraft will coexist in the heavy-lift space.
With this latest acquisition of Chinook Block I aircraft, Spain will increase its fleet to 18 aircraft and South Korea will join 15 other operators who benefit from the digital cockpit and advanced cargo handling ability.
“South Korea adds to a growing list of operators around the globe that recognize the value the modernized CH-47F Chinook brings to the table,” said Vince Logsdon, vice president, Global Business Development and Strategic Marketing for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
“While Spain is already reaping the benefits of the aircraft in Europe, we are honored to support South Korea’s heavy-lift helicopter modernization with a versatile product capable of meeting the demanding mission requirements in Asia Pacific.”
About CH-47F Block I Chinook Helicopters
The CH-47F is an advanced multi-mission helicopter for the U.S. Army and international defense forces. It is a heavy-lift helicopter that is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters.
It is a tandem rotor helicopter developed by American rotorcraft company Vertol and manufactured by Boeing Vertol.
Further, it contains a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) Cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities that complement the aircraft’s mission performance and handling characteristics.
CH-47F Technical Specifications
| Rotor Diameter | 18.29 m (60 ft) |
| Length with Rotors Operating | 30.14 m (98 ft, 10.7 in) |
| Fuselage | 15.46 m (50 ft, 9 in) |
| Height | 5.68 m (18 ft, 7.8 in) |
| Fuselage Width | 3.78 m (12 ft, 5 in) |
| Fuel Capacity | 3914 liters (1034 gallons) |
| Maximum Speed | 302 km/h (170 KTAS) |
| Cruise Speed | 291 km/h (157 KTAS) |
| Mission Radius | 200 nm (370.4km) |
| Service Ceiling | 6,096 m (20,000 ft) |
| Max Gross Weight | 22,680 kg (50,000 lbs) |
| Useful Load | 24,000 lbs (10,886 kg) |
Source: https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=131295
Specification Source: https://www.boeing.com/defense/ch-47-chinook/
