Chinook Product Improvement Program

Abstract

Program Element (PE) 0607137A Chinook Product Improvement Program is critical to achieving the Army's heavy lift Joint All Domain Operational capability. With an increased payload and operational reach, the CH-47F Block II is the only platform that can lift the JLTV, M777 and medium girder bridge to enable Joint All Domain Forces to Compete, Penetrate, Disintegrate, and Exploit at operationally relevant distances. The CH-47F Block II acquisition program upgrades existing CH-47F aircraft and procures common hardware that exists between the CH-47F and MH-47G aircraft for Special Operations Forces. The CH-47F Block II program reduces O&S costs and provides additional capability to the field with greater reach, increased payload capability and an increase in maximum gross weight to 54,000 pounds. CH-47F Block II upgrades include a strengthened airframe which introduces commonality with the MH-47G and improvements to rotor, fuel, and electrical systems which will improve safety and reliability for the aircraft. The program updates the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) and Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS) software packages of the aircraft, and incorporates other avionics changes introduced into the final CH-47F production lots. Along with providing a significantly increased capability to the field, the program includes provisions for anticipated future upgrades as well as weight and cost savings initiatives to ensure the Army has a platform with the flexibility and performance needed to meet the needs of Joint All Domain Operations. The Cargo Project Management Office awarded the CH-47F Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract in July 2017. The EMD phase produced three production representative test articles to support an acquisition decision. This phase will include contractor and government led system level qualification testing. The contractor led system level qualification testing includes both ground and flight test. The system level qualification testing includes Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3), operation assessments, and aircraft subsystem Live-Fire Test and Evaluation (LFTE). On 27 September 2021, the Army provided direction to remove Advanced Chinook Rotor Blade (ACRB) from the CH-47F Block II system configuration, and replace them with the currently fielded Fiberglass Rotor Blades (FRB).

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2023
• Source ID: 0607137A_7_2040_PB_2023
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2023 funding increase reflects the fact that the FY 2022 President's Budget request did not include out-year funding. FY 2021 Congressional Add of $5.000 million for carbon composite materials for helicopter wheels and brakes was received on 26 January 2022.
• Service Agency Name: Army

Entities

Organizations

• United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Aircraft Equipment
• Aircrafts
• Airframes
• Composite Materials
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Contracts
• Control Systems
• Fabrication
• Flight Control Systems
• Logistics Support
• Maintenance Costs
• Manufacturing
• Procurement
• Project Management
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.