From Ian C:
“Let's see what happens when Boeing sticks a couple of T408s in the CH-47.”
Installation of the K engines so as to utilize their power would require design and qualification, ground and flight testing of five new transmissions, associated drive train and mounts for all, the same for the mechanical controls ( servos, pushrods etc ), same for both new rotor heads and most likely new blades. By the time Boeing added up that bill, they would most probably decide to finally go fly-by-wire with the CH-47, as well as trading in significant parts of the dated metal fuselage for composite structure where appropriate. It winds up being a whole new machine, with costs significantly higher than the 47F, but a bit less than the 53K ( after all it has two, vs three engines ). Boeing certainly has the technology to do it, so the question of using the K engines becomes an investment decision balanced against the customer needs and availability/justification for DOD funds.
Last edited by JohnDixson; 30th Mar 2018 at 22:05.
Reason: Punctuation