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U.S. Army has awarded Boeing a $876.4 million contract to supply up to 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, along with performance-based logistics, training support, and non-recurring engineering services.

The helicopters are for the German Armed Forces as part of the foreign military sales agreement.

Work under the contract will be performed at Boeing’s facility in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, with all deliveries expected to be completed by October 2035, while funding for the order will come from the fiscal year 2026 defense funds.

According to the terms of the agreement, the contract covers production, training, and long-term sustainment elements, ensuring that both new-build and future Block II Chinooks can be supported throughout their service life.

The arrangement reflects the Army’s ongoing efforts to modernize its helicopter fleet while maintaining high readiness levels across multiple operational theaters.

The latest agreement continues a series of recent investments in the Chinook fleet. Before this contract, Boeing received a $461 million order for nine CH-47F Block II aircraft. In December 2024, the company secured a separate $135 million deal to manufacture and deliver three more platforms. These consecutive awards underline the Army’s commitment to sustaining heavy-lift capacity over the next decade.

The Chinook remains one of the Army’s most relied-upon rotorcraft for air assault missions, cargo movement, troop transport, humanitarian operations, and casualty evacuation. The new Block II deliveries are expected to gradually replace older airframes while supporting future operational concepts that require greater load capacity and longer ranges.

Block II Upgrade Package

The aircraft covered by this contract are all CH-47F Block II models, a significantly upgraded configuration of Boeing’s long-running Chinook series. The Block II package was developed to improve the helicopter’s lift capacity, endurance, and survivability in increasingly demanding operational environments.

Key enhancements in the Block II build include a strengthened airframe to handle heavier payloads, an upgraded drivetrain to improve power transfer efficiency, and a redesigned fuel system that increases operational range. Block II also features improved avionics and updated flight controls incorporating the Digital Advanced Flight Control System, which enhances handling and responsiveness across different mission profiles.

Additional improvements include modernized electrical systems, optimized structural components, and open-architecture features that allow for future upgrades. These provisions enable the Army to integrate advanced technologies as they become available without requiring major redesigns.

The U.S. Army plans to eventually convert more than 400 existing CH-47F Block I helicopters to the Block II standard, making it one of the largest long-term aviation upgrade efforts in the service’s current modernization portfolio.

CH-47F Chinook Capabilities

Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook is widely recognized as one of the most capable heavy-lift helicopters in the world. The aircraft measures 98 feet (30 meters) in length and has a rotor diameter of 80 feet (18 meters). Its tandem-rotor configuration allows for stable handling and efficient lift during high-payload operations.

Depending on mission requirements, the CH-47F can transport up to 55 troops, approximately 24,000 pounds (10,886 kilograms) of cargo, or around 20 medical stretchers. The helicopter’s rear cargo ramp and spacious interior make it suitable for transporting vehicles, artillery systems, and palletized loads.

The aircraft is operated by a crew of three and powered by two Honeywell T55-GA-714A engines, each producing around 4,700 horsepower. This enables the Chinook to reach a top speed of 170 knots (196 miles/315 kilometers per hour).

It has a range of up to 1,200 nautical miles (1,399 miles/2,252 kilometers) when fitted with auxiliary fuel, and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet (6,096 meters). These performance characteristics allow the helicopter to operate in high-altitude, hot-weather, and challenging terrain environments.

Operational Role

The Chinook has been a central component of the U.S. Army’s aviation since it first entered service in the 1960s. Over the decades, it has been repeatedly modernized to keep pace with evolving mission requirements and technological advancements. The CH-47F variant, introduced in the mid-2000s, incorporated digital cockpit systems, improved avionics, enhanced safety features, and structural refinements.

The Block II upgrade represents the next stage in this evolutionary process, ensuring the Chinook remains a viable heavy-lift solution well into the 2060s. Its ability to support complex operations—from rapid troop insertions to large-scale disaster relief—continues to make it one of the most versatile aircraft in the Army’s fleet.

The new $876-million contract confirms the service’s long-term commitment to the platform and signals continued reliance on heavy-lift aviation as a core component of U.S. military mobility and logistics doctrine.