‘They just keep getting better and better’

The first Boeing Chinook Block II CH-47F at the Ridley plant. The first deliveries of the heavier portable helicopter are expected in early 2024. (PHOTO COUR TESY)

On Monday, Boeing Philadelphia celebrated when the first production CH-47 F Block II Chinook helicopter entered the final assembly phase of production.

Officials held an event on the factory floor attended by local elected officials, invited guests and many of the Ridley factory’s more than 4,000 employees. Speakers praised the M1004 airframe, the latest variant of the workhorse Boeing Chinook helicopter, which has been in production at Ridley for over 60 years.

Over 950 Chinooks are in the air with 20 militaries – 450 in the US Army – many of which have been remanufactured due to improved technology, and the Block II is the latest of those improvements.

“This is an amazing aircraft and it just keeps getting better,” said Delaware Senator Tom Carper, who joined a contingent of members of Congress for the event. “The idea is that every year we work hard to do what we do: build planes, ships, submarines or Chinooks – we keep doing that better and better because of the threats we face out there , getting harder and harder than ever.”

In addition to Carper, US Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon and Chrissy Houlahan from Delaware and Chester counties, respectively, attended; Donald Norcross from New Jersey; and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware.

Scanlon said the regional delegation has worked to ensure the continued existence of the Chinook, and she also commended the union workers at UAW Local 1069.

“(They are) the proud, hard-working, skilled men and women who design and build this amazing aircraft,” she said. “Everyone who works here at Ridley is not only an important part of our national security, but also our local economy.”

It is estimated that in Pennsylvania alone, the Chinook program relies on 500 suppliers who spend more than $480 million annually and support 14,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Ken Eland, Boeing’s vice president and CH-47 program manager, said the Block II will allow the Army to maintain its heavy lift capability and is critical to the Philadelphia area’s industrial base and retaining the workforce at the facility.

“Final assembly is an important step in the production process. This is the phase where we assemble the final components of the Chinook, prepare for flight acceptance and delivery from our facility here,” Eland said, pointing to the aircraft, which is still in its bright green primer and stripped of most of its components. “While there is still work to be done to complete the aircraft and subsequent aircraft, the team is working in lockstep to deliver safe and effective aircraft.”

Eland said Boeing will spend the rest of 2023 completing work and deliveries are expected in early 2024.

Eland said it takes 3½ years to build a Chinook, from signing a contract to completion, which has increased as Boeing has addressed supply chain issues for specialty items like microelectronics and raw materials like titanium.

Block II Lot 1 was a US$136 million contract for four aircraft and was awarded in September 2021 with production beginning in April 2022.

The Army has contracted $29 million for two additional units, and Congress has approved $177 million for a third lot of aircraft and $23 million for a fourth lot in advance procurement.

Boeing officials hope to eventually upgrade the Army’s entire fleet to Block II.

“Remarkable Aircraft”

Brett Anker, communications officer for the Boeing Cargo & Utility H-47 and MH-139 program, said Block II increases the ability to “lift more and reach further.” He said the improvements resulted in an 8% increase in buoyancy, meaning 4,000 pounds more of equipment, soldiers or supplies.

“It’s critical to have a transport capacity to give Soldiers what they need, when they need it, at the most important times,” Anker said.

“This is another step in providing relevant capabilities to our customer,” said Eland. “This is the first and latest generation of aircraft that will help warfighters defend against ever-evolving threats around the world.”

Scanlon said she sees a stable path for long-term Block II production and that it has been an exciting day for the region and the country.

Army Col. Al Niles praised the airship during the presentation.

“As a soldier and pilot of the CH-47, I’ve seen all the different variations it’s gone through, and I’ve been a long-time supporter of not only Boeing, but the capabilities we use,” said Col. Niles. “This platform has been a remarkable aircraft since the 1960s. We’ve seen a lot of the great support it’s given in the fields and the different missions it’s been able to perform in different configurations.”

Niles said the Chinook platform has been around longer than many soldiers, and it remains one of the best designs in the field today.

With the Block II configuration, the twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter can handle loads of 24,000 pounds with a maximum gross weight of up to 50,000 pounds.

Over time, armor made the CH-47 heavier and bulkier, resulting in reduced range and lifespan. Block II upgrades increased capabilities with advanced rotor blades, redesigned fuel tanks, a more robust fuselage, and an improved powertrain.

A team effort

Norcross noted that the Delaware River basin was once the world’s busiest port and the Boeing factory once built Baldwin locomotives, but now it’s “pumping” the next generation of weapons systems with support from regional congressional groups working together in Washington.

“That’s why we’re going to have the support in the past and we’re going to be there going forward,” Norcross said.

Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan said the Boeing plant is directly helping the entire region

“This is a very, very big deal,” Houlahan said. “The Ch-47, the Chinook, is the largest aircraft in the US Army’s roster, so it’s really fitting that we are here announcing the delivery of this first Block II-engined Chinook, and it’s fitting that it’s attracting attention gets what she rightly deserves.”

Houlahan said continued production of the Chinook will impact the Philadelphia area, including Berks and Chester counties, which she represents.

“It is a recognition of the continuation of one of the longest established programs at this location and also a celebration of Boeing’s presence in the aerospace industry here in Pennsylvania,” she said. “We’re creating jobs and expanding our aerospace manufacturing base right here in Pennsylvania’s Collar Counties.”

Eland said the company is building three different Chinook products at Ridley alongside the Army Block II program. One is dedicated to the Spanish military and one to special forces.

The Chinook CH-47F currently moves at a rate of four per year, where 14 to 15 workers can work on one aircraft at a time.

On another national security topic, Scanlon spoke about the ongoing war in Ukraine and some demands that the country should not be drawn into what some call a regional dispute.

“This is a direct threat to democracy, Vladimir Putin is flexing his muscles and seeing what he can get away with,” Scanlon said. “If he gets away with it in Ukraine then there are a whole bunch of European states that are next and China is watching closely. This is a direct threat to democracy and that is why the US is there to help Ukraine win it.”