The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)
OPERATION ALLIED FORCE
OPERATION DECISIVE EDGE (1996)
First CH-47 Modernization Program
The first Chinook prototype flew on 21 September 1961 and the successive production for U.S.Army comprised 354 CH-47A, 108 CH-47B and, from 1968 on, 270 CH-47C.
The Army began the CH-47 Modernization Program in 1976 when Boeing Helicopters received the go-ahead to update three older model Chinooks, one A, one B and one C, into CH-47D prototypes; these three aircraft met or exceeded all their reliability, availability and maintainability standards, while also demonstrating improved operational capabilities. Boeing delivered the first production aircraft to the Army in March, 1982 and the program ended in 1993 after the reworking of a total of 474 Chinooks, comprising 32 in Special Operation Aircraft configuration and 51 in the definitive MH-47E Special Forces version.
The CH-47D production line was set up at Boeing's plant in the suburban Philadelphia, PA, at a maximum delivery rate of four aircraft per month; the process of modernizing older A, B and C models to D configuration took about 12 months from arrival at Boeing to Army acceptance.
The main improvements of the CH-47D comprise two new Textron Lycoming T55-L-712 turboshafts, new rotor transmission system, composite rotor blades, new cockpit, auxiliary power unit and triple cargo hooks. The CH-47D has been delivered to seventeen regular U.S.Army Regiments as well as to the Army Reserve and National Guard.
The CH-47D Modernization Program is extending fleet life 20 years, lowering fleet operating costs 24%, increasing fleet operating capabilities 52%.
(Aeromedia, May 1999)