The U.S. Army has ordered two more CH-47F Block II Chinook multi-mission heavy-lift helicopters from Boeing, the company announced on Monday. The order is in addition to a $136 million contract for four Block II Chinooks awarded to Boeing last year. Alongside the Lot 2 contract, which is valued at $63 million, is a separate Lot 3 advance procurement contract valued at $29 million.
“CH-47F Block II improves readiness, limits future sustainment costs and provides commonality across the fleet,” said Ken Eland, Boeing vice president and H-47 program manager. “We’re dedicated to making CH-47F Block II the best option for the Army’s heavy lift mission, now and well into the future.”
According to Boeing, the CH-47F Block II Chinook features redesigned fuel tanks, a strengthened fuselage and drivetrain enhancements. The aircraft is used for missions including equipment and troop transport, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Over the past 60 years, Boeing reports that it has delivered more than 1,000 Chinooks to the Army.
Block II. Lot 2. Lot 3. Think your average reader has any idea what those terms mean?
Good point. I don’t actually know. But from the context I would guess that Block II refers to a revised design. Lot 2 and Lot 3 probably refer to purchase groups.
I flew the Cobra Gunship in Vietnam and had some experiences with Chinooks that are memorable. A blade failure on the rear rotor totally dismembered a Ch-47 at 1000 AGL with a death toll of 35 GI’s. Ironically they were enroute to Vung Tau for a rest period. The other entailed a Chinook that had a squealing hanger bearing in the overhead drive shaft tunnel. This is serious as the multi shaft drive, powers the rear rotor transmission. That bird landed right in the middle of a firefight and it was an exciting day to recover that crew. Both required aerial gun cover for body retrieval and perimeter security which we did with the Cobra and Little Bird.
I swore I’d never fly one as pilot nor as passenger. Several years later I was recruited to join a National Guard Chinook Unit in Stockton Ca. They sent me to school for a month and soon thereafter I checked out as PIC. I went from a fighter to a transport and man… did I get to love that big bird. Never say never, and I still get a warm feeling when I see them flying overhead near where I live not far from Ft. Carson. Aviators now flying the Chinook weren’t even born at the time I recall. Same goes for the B-52.