After completing production of the last of the CH-47 Chinook Block I, Boeing will fully transition its production line to the more advanced H-47 Block II.
The last CH-47F Block I Chinooks produced will be 18 units for South Korea and one additional for Spain, the result of a $793 million contract between Boeing and the U.S. Department of Defense under a Foreign Military Sale (FMS).
“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, Boeing Vertical Lift. “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.”
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.”
