Boeing CH-47F Chinook fielded by fifth US Army unit

Boeing has announced that a fifth US Army unit has fielded the CH-47F Chinook helicopter.

The 6th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, completed all required training and officially assumed operation of 12 CH-47F Chinooks on December 8.

"I am proud of B Company for completing the CH-47F New Equipment Fielding and Training Program. Together, the Pachyderms and Boeing worked extremely hard to accomplish all the required tasks to make this happen in preparation for our next deployment," said Lt. Col. Brad Ninness, Commander, 6th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. "The technological advantages and improvements in the CH-47F increase our capabilities and allow us to better support the soldier on the ground."

The Army certified the CH-47F as combat-ready in 2007. The first four units equipped with the new Chinook have deployed in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and the aircraft continues to perform as an asset for the Army.

"The CH-47F is proving its exceptional capability every day in combat operations," said Leanne Caret, vice president, Boeing H-47 Programs. "This advanced aircraft significantly increases the unit's capability in harsh environments and high-altitude operations to meet a growing range of mission demands."

The CH-47F, built at Boeing's Rotorcraft Systems facility in Ridley Township, features a newly designed, modernized airframe, a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit and a BAE Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS).

The CAAS greatly improves aircrew situational awareness, while DAFCS provides dramatically improved flight-control capabilities through the entire flight envelope, significantly improved performance, and safety in the harshest of environments.

CAAS also incorporates an advanced digital map display and a data transfer system that allows storing of preflight and mission data. Improved survivability features include the Common Missile Warning and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser systems.

Powered by two 4,733-horsepower Honeywell engines, the new CH-47F can reach speeds greater than 175 mph and transport more than 21,000 pounds. The CH-47F, with its Robertson Aviation Extended Range Fuel System, has a mission radius of more than 400 nautical miles.

Source: Boeing