Boeing transitions to CH-47 Chinook production with final Block I contract

As part of a U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Military Sale, Boeing announced that it received a contract to produce 18 CH-47F Block I Chinooks for South Korea and one additional aircraft for Spain. As Boeing continues transitioning to building the advanced Block II configuration, the deal valued at up to $793M represents the final aircraft to be ordered on the current CH-47F Block I FMS contract with the U.S. government. “The CH-47F Block I Chinook continues to be the preeminent heavy-lift helicopter in the world for good reason,” said Heather McBryan, H-47 vice president and program manager. “While this concludes Block I orders as we continue our modernization efforts, we’ll continue supporting our customers’ aircraft as they play a vital role for years to come.” Currently, six Block II aircraft are under contract with the U.S. Army, 36 with U.S. Army Special Operations Command 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. “The Block II program is the natural successor to an already exceptional aircraft,” McBryan added.