Chinook Product Improvement Program

Abstract

This Program Element (PE) supports continued modernization of the Army's only heavy lift helicopter the CH-47F Chinook providing tomorrow's heavy lift readiness. The CH-47F project funds modernization, integration and improvements to the CH-47F and MH-47G helicopters through the CH-47F Block II program of record. The CH-47F is a twin-turbine, tandem-rotor, heavy-lift transport helicopter with a useful load of up to 25,000 lbs, representing an essential element of Muti-Domain Battle Operations. The CH-47F and MH-47G helicopters perform over 95% of the Army's heavy lift missions including troop transport, air assault and resupply in combat, combat support and combat service support roles. The CH-47F Block II program provides additional benefits to increase commonality and interoperability between the two platforms, improve design life, lower maintenance cost, enhance reliability, safety, airworthiness, and cybersecurity. Additionally, funding supports full component qualification for numerous aircraft subsystems such as the Improved Drive Train (IDT) and Advanced Chinook Rotor Blade (ACRB), which increase performance in all environmental conditions (especially at high altitude and increased temperature). The CH-47F Block II program restores payload lost through mission equipment package (MEP) growth and enhances flight control systems, while providing the most cost effective procurement alternative to maintain heavy lift capability and reduce Operation & Support (O&S) costs. The Cargo Project Management Office awarded the CH-47F Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract in July 2017. The EMD phase will produce three production representative test articles to support a Milestone C decision in the 4th quarter of FY21. 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 Government led system level qualification testing includes Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3), Limited User Test (LUT) and aircraft subsystem Live-Fire Test and Evaluation (LFTE).

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2020
Source ID
ES4_0607137A_7_2040_PB_2020

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Cyber

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