Boeing unveils first production Chinook CH-47F
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Boeing unveils first production Chinook CH-47F
Boeing unveiled the first production CH-47F Chinook to the US Army during a rollout ceremony in Ridley Park, Pa yesterday.
It's the first of 452 included in the US Army Cargo Helicopter modernization program.
MH-47G
CAAS in MH-47
It's the first of 452 included in the US Army Cargo Helicopter modernization program.
The new aircraft, CH-47F and MH-47G, are part of the U.S. Army Cargo Helicopter modernization program, are the latest variants of helicopters that first saw service in 1962 during the Vietnam War. The new helicopters feature numerous upgrades over CH-47D models (produced 1982-1994), from more powerful engines to reduced vibration, upgraded avionics and self-defense systems, and manufacturing advances designed to improve mission performance while reducing operation and maintenance costs.
The new CH-47F aircraft has 4,868 horsepower from each of its twin engines, enabling it to reach speed in excess of 175 mph and provides the capability to transport up to 21,016 lbs. With its internal auxiliary fuel tanks, the CH-47F is capable of a mission radius greater than 400 miles. This improved power will also pay dividends in high-altitude or hot environments, as all aircraft suffer performance penalties from their usual baseline in such "hot and high" conditions.
The new airframe, meanwhile, is constructed utilizing advanced manufacturing techniques where large single piece components replace built-up sheet metal structures and aluminum honeycomb formers. Doing it this way is expected to reduce operating and support costs while improving the structural integrity of the aircraft, extending the overall useful life of each Chinook. Other structural improvements include air transportability modifications, which reduce time necessary to prepare the aircraft for cargo transport in planes like the C-5 Galaxy, structural enhancements in key locations, and advanced corrosion protection via special paints.
An improved cockpit design improves interoperability via avionics compliance with the US Army's Common Aviation Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit, simplifying pilot training and workload. CAAS creates a package that includes the most advanced U.S Army helicopter systems, which includes forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and multimode radar for nap-of-earth and low-level flight operations in poor visibility and adverse weather.
These improved avionics also provide enhanced situational awareness for flight crews with an advanced digital map display and a data transfer system, which allows storing preflight and mission data. For flying the aircraft, the Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS) replaces the existing analog system, allowing future expansion.
New survivability features include a Common Missile Warning and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser Systems. The US Army plans to award the $1.4-billion indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to BAE Systems for the AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System, to be distributed throughout its fleet.
MH-47G
The US Army took delivery of the first of at least 32 MH-47G Special Operations variants last month. They include a number of additional modifications that optimize them for Special Forces operations. The most obvious is the big aerial refueling tube at the front. Other modifications include the CAAS avionics that will be featured on the CH-47F, extra fuel, additional sensors for surveillance, "aircraft survivability equipment," dual embedded Global Positioning System, a redundant navigator for improved accuracy and reliability, and various advanced datalinks that allow the display of Near Real Time Intelligence Data (NRTID).
Boeing is also proposing a modified MH-47G as a candidate for US Air Force Special Operations' (AFSOC) CSAR-X combat search and rescue platform.
The new CH-47F aircraft has 4,868 horsepower from each of its twin engines, enabling it to reach speed in excess of 175 mph and provides the capability to transport up to 21,016 lbs. With its internal auxiliary fuel tanks, the CH-47F is capable of a mission radius greater than 400 miles. This improved power will also pay dividends in high-altitude or hot environments, as all aircraft suffer performance penalties from their usual baseline in such "hot and high" conditions.
The new airframe, meanwhile, is constructed utilizing advanced manufacturing techniques where large single piece components replace built-up sheet metal structures and aluminum honeycomb formers. Doing it this way is expected to reduce operating and support costs while improving the structural integrity of the aircraft, extending the overall useful life of each Chinook. Other structural improvements include air transportability modifications, which reduce time necessary to prepare the aircraft for cargo transport in planes like the C-5 Galaxy, structural enhancements in key locations, and advanced corrosion protection via special paints.
An improved cockpit design improves interoperability via avionics compliance with the US Army's Common Aviation Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit, simplifying pilot training and workload. CAAS creates a package that includes the most advanced U.S Army helicopter systems, which includes forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and multimode radar for nap-of-earth and low-level flight operations in poor visibility and adverse weather.
These improved avionics also provide enhanced situational awareness for flight crews with an advanced digital map display and a data transfer system, which allows storing preflight and mission data. For flying the aircraft, the Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS) replaces the existing analog system, allowing future expansion.
New survivability features include a Common Missile Warning and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser Systems. The US Army plans to award the $1.4-billion indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to BAE Systems for the AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System, to be distributed throughout its fleet.
MH-47G
The US Army took delivery of the first of at least 32 MH-47G Special Operations variants last month. They include a number of additional modifications that optimize them for Special Forces operations. The most obvious is the big aerial refueling tube at the front. Other modifications include the CAAS avionics that will be featured on the CH-47F, extra fuel, additional sensors for surveillance, "aircraft survivability equipment," dual embedded Global Positioning System, a redundant navigator for improved accuracy and reliability, and various advanced datalinks that allow the display of Near Real Time Intelligence Data (NRTID).
Boeing is also proposing a modified MH-47G as a candidate for US Air Force Special Operations' (AFSOC) CSAR-X combat search and rescue platform.
CAAS in MH-47
