First Chinook Block II delivery to Army anticipated in the next week

The delivery of the first CH-47F Block II aircraft to the Army is expected to occur sometime in the next week, according to prime contractor Boeing.

The aircraft “has completed all acceptance testing and is prepared for delivery,” according to a statement from Boeing sent to Inside Defense today.

“We are working with the customer to finalize the delivery of the aircraft over the next week. The customer will accept the aircraft at our plant in Philadelphia and they will ultimately determine where they send it,” Boeing stated.

Mark Ballew, Boeing’s senior director of vertical lift business development, told reporters this week that the final hurdle prior to delivering the aircraft was clearing up a “documentation challenge” on one part of the aircraft.

“The documentation challenge has finally been corrected with us and the government and the supplier, and that aircraft will deliver by the end of the month,” he said.

As part of the aviation rebalance announced in February that involved the cancellation of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, the Army committed to a path to full-rate production for the CH-47F Block II. The aircraft features a variety of upgrades such as redesigned fuel tanks, a stronger fuselage and improved drivetrain.

Army officials said during the Army Aviation Association of America conference in April that they anticipated moving to milestone C for the program in late fiscal year 2025.