Boeing Gets $4B US Army Chinook Deal

US aerospace giant Boeing announced Tuesday it has received a multi-year $4 billion order from the US Army for 177 more CH-47F Chinook helicopters.

The five-year deal includes an option for the Army to buy 38 additional Chinooks, a multi-mission, twin-engine transport helicopter, Boeing said in a statement.

“This order would eventually bring the Army’s CH-47F total procurement close to its target of 464 aircraft, including 24 to replace peacetime attrition aircraft,” the Chicago-based company said, noting the Army currently has 241 of the F-model aircraft.

Deliveries are to begin in 2015.

The order comes amid sharp, broad-based government “sequester” spending cutbacks that are especially hard-hitting for the Defense Department.

“This contract will enable Boeing and our partners and suppliers in 45 states to bring stability to the workforce and to invest in production tooling, processes and other capital improvements,” Boeing said.

The contract, which is more cost-effective than annually contracting for the aircraft, will save the Army more than $800 million, it said.

“This multi-year contract provides unprecedented savings for the US Army and American taxpayers,” Col. Robert Barrie, US Army project manager for Cargo Helicopters, said in the statement.


Source: By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESS, NEW YORK — defensenews.com News - 11 June 2013

Photo: The U.S. Army Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters. U.S. Army Soldiers rehearse dismounting a CH-47 Chinook helicopter before a recent air assault operation on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 15, 2009. The U.S. soldiers, assigned to the 509th Infantry Division's 3rd Battalion, participated in a joint effort with Afghan soldiers and border police. (Photo by U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Derek L. Kuhn / army.mil)


(11.06.2013)