Boeing and the US Army recently signed contracts valued at more than $1.5bn for up to 66 CH-47F Chinook helicopters.
The production contracts include 16 new-build CH-47Fs and nine remanufactured CH-47Fs valued at $624m. The contracts also include options for 22 additional new-build CH-47Fs and 19 remanufactured CH-47Fs valued at more than $920m. Aircraft deliveries will begin in early 2008.
According to Boeing, the CH-47F features a newly designed, modernised airframe and a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System. The helicopter's advanced avionics provide improved situational awareness for flight crews with an advanced digital map display and a data transfer system that stores pre-flight and mission data.
‘The CH-47F is central to the US Army's aviation modernisation program and will remain in service for decades to come,’ commented Jack Dougherty, director, H-47 Programs.
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Where will all the raw materials come from for the manufacturing process? How will they be transported to the factory and what is going to be done with the various scrap and residues?