Boeing [BA] has formally offered the German Air Force a version of the CH-47F Chinook helicopter as that country’s next heavylift helicopter.
The German defense ministry’s acquisition arm issued a call for competition in late February for the “Schwerer Transporthubschrauber” (STH) program. A formal request for proposals is expected this summer to replace the older Sikorsky [LMT] CH-53 the German Air Force currently flies.
“The process provided Boeing and our German Industry Team the opportunity to demonstrate our ability to qualify for the upcoming tender activity,” a Boeing spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “Boeing will continue to build on our existing German Industry Team, which will be supporting our production line, as well as in-country sustainment and training.”
Boeing is offering a variation of the CH-47F, which is already in service with the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, UK, and Canada. Sikorsky has pitched the CH-53K King Stallion — the single-main-rotor transport helicopter it is building for the U.S. Marine Corps — for the STH program.
Boeing submitted its offer on May 23, ahead of the proposal deadline, according to the company. Prior to its bid, Boeing in April announced partnerships with 10 German companies on the STH competition. They include AERO-Bildungs GmbH, Aircraft Philipp, CAE Elektronik GmbH, COTESA, Diehl Defence, Honeywell [HON], Liebherr-Aerospace, Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH, Collins Aerospace [UTX], and Rolls-Royce.
Boeing is seeking to develop additional partnerships with German industry for the Schwerer Transporthubschrauber (STH) competition and is committed to bringing opportunities from across the Boeing enterprise, not only work on the Chinook, according to the company’s statement.
“With the Chinook, Boeing will continue to expand its partnership with German industry,” Boeing said. “We are committed to having parts of the production and the sustainment and training done in Germany with our German partners.”