DENVER —Boeing [BA] is “weeks away” from officially handing over the first CH-47F Block II Chinook to the Army, while a Milestone C decision to move the program into full-rate production is now expected in 2025.
Heather McBryan, Boeing’s vice president for cargo helicopter programs, told reporters on Wednesday the company is on track to deliver the first four Block IIs to the Army this year and two more in early 2025.
“We’re in the process right now of finalizing the documentation for delivery to the Army,” McBryan said during a media briefing at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit here. The Army has indicated that they will be taking those [first] aircraft to do some additional testing to support Milestone C.”
The upcoming delivery follows a first flight with a production Block II on April 8 and an April 15 ceremony at Boeing’s Ridley Park, Pennsylvania facility commemorating the first upgraded aircraft to roll off the line, which included attendance from a congressional delegation and Army officials.
As part of the Army’s aviation rebalance detailed in February, which included canceling development of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, the service announced a commitment to eventual full-rate production for the CH-47F Block II Chinook (Defense Daily, Feb. 8).
“For both Boeing and our 400 suppliers, we’ve been in kind of an uncertain territory the last couple of years as we’re looking at ending Block I production and [were] awaiting the Army’s decision on Block II. So I think for the industrial base, the certainty that this brings is big for both Chinook and the community. It will help with affordability. It will help with lead times on part procurements,” McBryan said on Wednesday.
Army officials have said that concerns regarding industrial base impacts and the potential shuttering of the Black Hawk and Chinook production lines within five years were factors in the FARA cancelation decision and larger aviation rebalancing (Defense Daily, March 7).
McBryan told Defense Daily this past November that Boeing was expecting a Milestone C decision before the end of 2023, and that the company was “very optimistic that the Block II program will move forward” (Defense Daily, Nov. 13 2023).
The Army has indicated to Boeing a Milestone C decision for Block II is likely to occur 12-18 months from when the service announced the commitment to full-rate production in February, McBryan noted.
Brig. Gen David Phillips, the Army’s program executive officer for aviation, then told reporters in a separate briefing on Wednesday afternoon that Milestone C would most likely be in late FY ’25.
“When we talked about the Army making its Block II decision, we didn’t really have insight into exactly what that decision was going to be. And so, what the Army decision was [they said], ‘Yes, we’re moving forward with Block II production but we still need to follow our process to get through Milestone C.’ So that’s what they’re working on now. They’ve indicated 12 to 18 months. I know they’re always looking to accelerate where they can. But it’s just part of the normal acquisition process to go through those steps,” McBryan told reporters.
Boeing had previously eyed delivering the first Block II to the Army in early 2024, while McBryan said Wednesday there was “no specific reason” for the slight delay in the schedule.
“It’s just part of the build process and [doing] the first acceptance tests of a new aircraft. So I think it’s just part of the normal process. There’s no specific reason for moving out a month or two,” McBryan said.
Block II upgrades for the Chinook include an improved drivetrain, increased range, a redesigned fuel system and an ability to lift an additional 4,000 pounds, McBryan added.
The six Block II aircraft covered under Lot 1 and 2 deals are all in some stages of final assembly, McBryan said, noting Boeing is also on contract for advanced procurement of the next six aircraft.
Boeing is expecting a contract to be awarded this summer for the Lot 3 low-rate production of the next three Block II aircraft, according to McBryan.
McBryan reiterated that Boeing’s goal remains building 30 to 36 Chinooks per year to ensure efficiency with the production line.
“That could be a combination of Army plus international sales, but the foundation’s really the Block II with the U.S. Army,” McBryan said.