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Boeing Marks 50 Years of Delivering Chinook Helicopters

As Boeing marks the 50th anniversary of delivering the first H-47 Chinook military helicopter, the company is nearing completion of a $130 million renovation of its production line near Philadelphia that will help it meet global demand for the latest model, the CH-47F.

“The Chinook has served as the backbone of U.S. Army aviation since the Vietnam era, revolutionizing how we move troops and supplies in combat, and save lives and deliver aid in times of need,” said Col. Bob Marion, U.S. Army Cargo Helicopter program manager. “The latest F-model has ushered in a new era of heavy-lift capability for the U.S. Army. With continued technology insertions, I fully expect that 50 years from now there will be a centennial celebration for Chinooks still in service.”

Boeing has delivered more than 1,200 Chinooks to 18 operators around the world since delivering the first to the U.S. Army on Aug. 16, 1962. More than 800 are in operation today, conducting combat, cargo transport and humanitarian relief missions.

“Chinook is Boeing’s longest continuously running production program, and it’s in greater demand today than ever before,” said Leanne Caret, vice president, Vertical Lift and H-47 Programs. “Chinooks are being delivered on schedule and operating at a higher rate than any time in history, thanks to our team’s innovation, efficiency, and focus on meeting our customers’ needs.”

The production line updates will enable Boeing to continue to affordably increase Chinook production rates. Boeing is scheduled to deliver nearly 60 Chinooks this year and has submitted a multiyear, firm fixed-price proposal to the Department of Defense to provide 155 CH-47Fs to the U.S. Army with deliveries beginning in 2015.

via Boeing Marks 50 Years of Delivering Chinook Helicopters.

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[toggle title=”VIDEO: Task Force Corsair CH-47F Chinooks Over Afghanistan, via AirBoyd.TV”]
Video by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. CH-47 Chinooks are the Army’s fastest and most powerful aircraft, and are critical to moving Soliders and supplies across the mountainous terrain in eastern Afghanistan. the “F” model is the latest version of Chinook, featuring an all-digital cockpit with advanced electronics and navigation. Shots include pilots, cockpit, and Chinooks in the air near Wardak and Logar provinces, Afghanistan.
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[toggle title=”VIDEO: CH-47 Chinook Night Operations in Afghanistan, via AirBoyd.TV”]
Video by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. Task Force Corsair, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade CH-47F Chinooks perform night sling load operations on Forward Operating Base Shank, Aug. 14, 2012. CH-47s are picking up large fuel containers, called blivets, to deliver to a remote outpost in Wardak province. 173rd Brigade Combat Team Soldiers hook up the loads, which are primarily transported at night. Produced by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon.
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[toggle title=”VIDEO: Boeing Chinook: Delivering the goods for 50 years”][/toggle]

[toggle title=”VIDEO: CH-47 Chinook Helicopter, via US Army”][/toggle]
[toggle title=”VIDEO: Chinook Airshow Display 2007″][/toggle]

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