Article Posted on : - Oct 28, 2014

US Army and H-47 teams marked the delivery of the 300th CH-47F Chinook to the US Army. A Boeing photo.

RIDLEY PARK, PENNSYLVANIA (BNS): US defence major Boeing has delivered to the US Army, 75 days ahead of schedule, the 300th CH-47F Chinook helicopter.

The CH-47F has a modernized airframe, Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit that improves crew situational awareness and the Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS), which offers enhanced flight-control capabilities for the multitude of conditions in which the helicopter is used, Boeing said.

"The Chinook provides a lifeline to soldiers," said Steve Parker, Boeing vice president, Cargo Helicopters & H-47 program manager. "There are soldiers alive today because of the dedication of this team."

Since the completion of the first CH-47F Chinook in 2006, 18 US Army and National Guard units have been trained and equipped with the aircraft.

"The efficiency we have demonstrated is keeping the Chinook a highly relevant US Army asset today and into the future," said Parker.

"This marks another benchmark for the CH-47F program," said Lt. Col. Michael Hauenstein, the Army's CH-47F product manager, Office of the Project Manager, Cargo Helicopters.

"More importantly, we have met this benchmark ahead of schedule, within cost, and produced an aircraft that performs as required worldwide. We wouldn't have been able to achieve this if it wasn't for the partnership of the entire Chinook community."