TSAMTO, July 2. Boeing has announced the signing of a contract with the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the supply of 14 H-47 (ER) Chinook extended-range helicopters for the British Air Force.
The cost of the agreement signed within the framework of the "Foreign military Sales" program amounted to $ 580.59 million. The work will be carried out at the Boeing enterprise in Ridley Park (pc.Pennsylvania). Deliveries should be completed in July 2026.
It is assumed that the Chinook helicopters are a Block.2 with an increased flight range will provide the British Air Force with greater flexibility when performing heavy cargo transportation tasks on its territory and abroad.
As reported by TSAMTO, in October 2018, the US State Department approved the potential supply of 16 H-47 Chinook extended-range transport helicopters, 36 T-55-GA-714A engines, 40 units of 7.62-mm M134D-T machine guns, 40 M240H machine guns, other equipment and services worth up to $ 3.5 billion to the UK under the Foreign Military Sales program.
In May 2021, the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom announced the completion of the agreement on the terms of a contract worth 1.4 billion pounds for the modernization of the Chinook fleet over the next 10 years. The purchase of 14 new H-47 (ER) helicopters is carried out as part of the commitment made by the British government to invest more than 85 billion pounds to modernize the ViVT fleet over the next four years for the reform and renewal of the armed forces.
As it was stated, the new H-47 (ER), which is an analog of the MH-47G Block ordered by the US Special Operations Command.2, will be able to reach a maximum speed of 300 km/h, will be equipped with an improved digital cockpit, an upgraded fuselage to increase stability and survivability, a digital automatic flight control system that allows pilots to hover in areas of limited visibility. The new helicopters will be deployed at the Odihem base.
The UK will become the first foreign recipient of Block 2 Chinook helicopters.
Recently, Boeing and the British Air Force celebrated the 40th anniversary of the first delivery of the Chinook to the UK. Later this year, Boeing will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the CH-47.
