US Army awards $472 million CH-47F Block II avionics contract to Collins Aerospace
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The US Army awarded Collins Aerospace a $472 million contract for CH-47F Block II avionics modernization. The award is part of a broader $20 billion effort to keep the Chinook fleet flying into the 2040s. The Army's approved acquisition objective is 501 H-47 aircraft.
Key Facts
- The US Army awarded Collins Aerospace a $472 million contract for CH-47F Block II avionics modernization.
- The broader CH-47F Block II modernization effort is valued at roughly $20 billion.
- The Army's approved acquisition objective is 501 H-47 aircraft.
- The CH-47 Chinook first flew in 1961 and entered service in 1962.
- Over 1,200 Chinooks have been built, with around 500 in US Army inventory.
Block II Upgrade Program
The CH-47F Block II program upgrades existing CH-47F aircraft and procures common hardware for both the CH-47F and MH-47G variants. The upgrades strengthen the airframe, improve fuel consumption, and provide electrical, rotor, and drive system enhancements. The broader modernization includes redesigning the fuel system, improving the drivetrain, increasing torque capability, and upgrading the rotor system. The Collins contract focuses on avionics, open architecture, future technology insertion, commonality, and improvements to cyber, communications, and navigation.
Fleet Modernization Scope
The Army is working to renew its Chinook fleet and keep the helicopters flying into the 2040s. No replacement for the Chinook is expected for many years, so the Army is pursuing recapitalization and digital modernization in parallel. The latest Army FY2027 budget sets the approved Army Acquisition Objective at 501 H-47 aircraft.
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US Army awards $472 million CH-47F Block II avionics contract to Collins Aerospace
