Boeing will upgrade all 17 of Spain’s CH-47D Chinook helicopters to the F-model configuration, adding features such as the digital automatic flight control system, common avionics architecture system and advanced cargo handling to align that country’s fleet with those of other nations.

This is the first order from a non-U.S. customer placed through a contract Boeing and the U.S. Army signed in July. That contract covers six new F-models for the U.S. and options for up to 150 more Chinooks for U.S. and international customers. Deliveries to Spain begin in 2021.

«The Chinook is a versatile aircraft flown by eight NATO nations, including Spain», said Chuck Dabundo, vice president, Cargo and Utility Helicopters and H-47 program manager. «With this contract, Spain’s Chinook crews will enjoy the platform’s current technology and capability, while the country gets an affordable upgrade that builds on its existing H-47 investment».

The CH-47F is a twin-engine, tandem rotor, heavy-lift helicopter. In addition to the U.S. Army and Special Operations Forces, Chinooks are currently in service or under contract with 19 international defense forces. It can fly at speeds exceeding 152 knots/175 mph/282 km/h and carry payloads greater than 21,000 lbs./9,525 kg. In 2017, Boeing and the U.S. Army announced development of CH-47F Block II, which will incorporate a new rotor blade, redesigned fuel system, improved drivetrain and structural improvements to the fuselage.

Boeing delivered the seventh CH-47F Chinook to the Australian Army on budget August 10th, three weeks ahead of schedule, supporting modernization of Australia’s cargo helicopter fleet and eventually replacing the Commonwealth’s six older CH-47D Chinooks. The seven advanced Chinooks were ordered as part of a U.S. Government Foreign Military Sales agreement with Australia in 2012.

«Boeing is committed to meeting our customers’ needs anywhere in the world with the right capability, delivered on time and cost», said Steve Parker, vice president, Cargo Helicopters and H-47 program manager. «These early deliveries demonstrate that commitment».

Australia has one of the most advanced and highly capable Chinook fleets in the world. Major developments on the CH-47F include a digital cockpit, an advanced communications system and new avionics. Those allow the Australian Army to operate more effectively with U.S. and international forces through the easy exchange of digital maps that facilitate coordinated responses for military and humanitarian missions. The Australian Chinook configuration also includes a new rotor brake that enables shipboard operations by actively stopping the rotor blades rather than allowing the blades to naturally «spin down» once the engine is turned off after landing.

«Our CH-47D Chinooks have been real workhorses for Australia, both here and on operations overseas, and our new CH-47F Chinooks are set to be even more dependable, affordable and capable assets», said Rear Admiral Tony Dalton of Australia’s Department of Defence. «We are very pleased with how Boeing and the United States Army have worked together to deliver this important capability to Australia ahead of schedule and on budget».

The Australian Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment, 16th Aviation Brigade, operates the Chinooks from their home base in northern Queensland, Australia. Boeing Defence Australia will provide on-site operational maintenance support for the CH-47F aircraft, having supported the CH-47D since 2010.

Australia’s partnership with Boeing began nearly 90 years ago. Today, the country is building one of the world’s newest and most technologically advanced armed forces with a range of Boeing platforms and services including the Chinook, EA-18G Growler, P-8A Maritime Surveillance Aircraft, F/A-18 Super Hornet, E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control System, C-17 Globemaster III and training and logistics solutions.

Technical Specifications

At a ceremony on May 6, 2015 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville in northern Queensland, Australia commissioned their first two Boeing CH-47F Chinook advanced configuration aircraft. It is a major milestone in the updating of the Australian Army’s cargo helicopter fleet.

The acquisition is part of an ongoing transformation that is allowing Australia to build one of the world’s newest and most technologically advanced armed forces. Five additional new Chinooks will be delivered this year, eventually replacing an existing fleet of six older Boeing CH-47D Chinooks.

«The outgoing CH-47D Chinooks have proved highly effective in Australian operations, and the new CH-47F Chinook will deliver an improved cargo helicopter for Australia’s Army», said Rear Admiral Tony Dalton of Australia’s Defence Materiel Organisation. «Furthermore, the project to deliver the new Chinooks remains on schedule and under budget».

Australia was among the Chinook’s first international customers and now there are almost twenty countries operating the helicopter.

«Working with our Australian allies to build a modernised Chinook fleet enables more seamless operations with U.S. and other forces», said Colonel Robert Barrie, project manager, U.S. Army Cargo Helicopter Office.

«The Australian Army values the features and capabilities of the advanced CH‑47F Chinook and we delivered them as promised», said Steve Parker, Boeing vice president, Cargo Helicopters and H-47 program manager. «These aircraft will meet their demanding mission requirements now and well into the future».

The Australian Chinook fleet is flown by the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment, 16th Aviation Brigade. Under the scope of the contract, Boeing Defence Australia will provide delivery and on-site operational maintenance support to the seven aircraft.

For more than 70 years, Boeing and Australia have maintained a partnership operating and supporting a broad range of platforms that now includes, in addition to Chinook, the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control System and C-17 Globemaster III.

Technical Specifications