Boeing Delivers First MH-47G Special Operations Chinook

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., May 7, 2004 -- The Boeing Company delivered the first
MH-47G Special Operations Chinook helicopter to the U.S. Army Special
Operations Command Thursday during a ceremony in Philadelphia.



The MH-47G is the seventh and most capable iteration of the world's most
advanced heavy-lift helicopter. Boeing will produce at least 37
G-models, which will significantly increase the inventory of Special
Operations Chinooks. The delivered aircraft is one of three modernized
under the U.S. Army's Reconstitution Program to replace operational
losses of MH-47Es. Under the U.S. Army's Cargo Helicopter Modernization
Program, plans call for Boeing to remanufacture and deliver 58
additional MH-47Gs by 2011 to help meet urgent Special Operations
requirements.

"The delivery of the first MH-47G marks the beginning of years' worth of
Chinook production and support work for Boeing and its suppliers," said
Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager, Boeing Rotorcraft
Systems. "All of us at Boeing are extremely proud of the Chinook and its
record of service with the U.S. Army, Army Special Operations, and our
allies around the world for more than four decades. Now it's time to
begin a new chapter that will carry the Chinook forward for many more
decades."

The MH-47G features a number of upgrades over earlier models, including
more efficient engines, improved avionics, reduced interior vibration
and improved air transportability. Also, the aircraft's fully integrated
digital Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) will enable Special
Operations aviators to integrate global communications, navigation,
survivability and situational awareness capabilities.

"As magnificent as this aircraft is, it's only as good as the people who
plan it, design it, build it, fly it, and support it in a number of
ways," said Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger, commanding general, U.S. Army
Special Operations Command to Boeing employees gathered at the event.
"Whatever piece, small or large, is yours in the Army's acquisition of
the MH-47G, you are making a direct contribution to the global war on
terrorism."

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command uses its current fleet of 34
Special Operations Chinooks-23 MH-47Es and 11 MH-47Ds-to complete
clandestine exfiltration and infiltration missions at low level, day or
night, in all weather conditions. The Army plans to modernize these
aircraft to the G-model configuration to better support its Special
Operations mission.

Boeing builds the Chinook in Philadelphia, where more than 4600
employees use state-of-the-art lean manufacturing and engineering
methods to generate efficiencies and cost savings in all stages of
development and production. Boeing's longest running continuous
production program, the Chinook first entered service with the U.S. Army
in 1962 and has been used in countless military, civilian, and
humanitarian missions around the world.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
http://www.boeing.com/ids is a $27 billion business that provides
systems solutions to its global military, government, and commercial
customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the
world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of
space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S.
missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in
launch services.


1 MH-47G helicopter was produced as of 12 March 2004.
It was a conversion from CH-47D 86-01678.
As of April 2004, the airframe was still undergoing maintenance and test
flight procedures at the Ridley Park facility in Pennsylvania.

www.chinook-helicopter.com/news/Boeing/Boeing_Chinook_News.html
www.boeing.com/news/releases/2004/q2/nr_040507m.html

Seems like a waste of money to me, the Chinook "Shithook" will never be or have the capabilities of a Sea Stallion

The Ruskies are the champs in heavy-lift chopper technology.

Let me get this straight...

The Army uses Chinooks for "clandestine exfiltration and infiltration missions"?? I remember these things flying over our house when we lived in Texas. They must be droppin' those Green Barrets a looooooooooog way from the enemy!

I don't claim to know much about helicopters, but I hope they at least armored those giant fuel cells.

Looks like our Special Operations Community has a new tool.

Quoted: Let me get this straight... The Army uses Chinooks for "clandestine exfiltration and infiltration missions"?? I remember these things flying over our house when we lived in Texas. They must be droppin' those Green Barrets a looooooooooog way from the enemy!

They're dropping hats?

Quoted: Let me get this straight... The Army uses Chinooks for "clandestine exfiltration and infiltration missions"?? I remember these things flying over our house when we lived in Texas. They must be droppin' those Green Barrets a looooooooooog way from the enemy!

I trained for the CH-47 D+ in a spec ops unit in Oklahoma as a crew chief.  (Clinton killed our spec ops designation about my 3rd or 4th year).

These babys can do some amazing jobs.  And wel fly alot more than just green hats.

We can deposit seals on their zodiacs in damn near any water.  

The spec op chinooks come complete with 2 mini guns and a .50

In flight refueling, and a waiver on weight limits.  If you can lift it,even if it bends the frame, you can carry it.

I'm glad to see the addition.

TXL

Quoted: Quoted: Let me get this straight... The Army uses Chinooks for "clandestine exfiltration and infiltration missions"?? I remember these things flying over our house when we lived in Texas. They must be droppin' those Green Barrets a looooooooooog way from the enemy! I trained for the CH-47 D+ in a spec ops unit in Oklahoma as a crew chief.  (Clinton killed our spec ops designation about my 3rd or 4th year). These babys can do some amazing jobs.  And wel fly alot more than just green hats. We can deposit seals on their zodiacs in damn near any water.   The spec op chinooks come complete with 2 mini guns and a .50 In flight refueling, and a waiver on weight limits.  If you can lift it,even if it bends the frame, you can carry it. I'm glad to see the addition. TXL

But aren't they kinda loud for all sneakin' commando's in and out of the hinderland?

yeah, but they are freaking fast, faster than a crash-hawk if I'm not mistaken

Quoted: yeah, but they are freaking fast, faster than a crash-hawk if I'm not mistaken

But slower than a Super Stallion. And both are slower than the USAFs CV-22A's.

The poor AF Osprey fleet is going to get their little wings flown off with all the SEAL and Army requests for insertions. They are never going to get to do their alternate CSAR mission.

Quoted: Quoted: Let me get this straight... The Army uses Chinooks for "clandestine exfiltration and infiltration missions"?? I remember these things flying over our house when we lived in Texas. They must be droppin' those Green Barrets a looooooooooog way from the enemy! They're dropping hats?

It's O.K.. They're French hats.

Then they're asshats.

Quoted: It's O.K.. They're French hats.