The UK Ministry of Defence has announced plans to procure additional CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters to maintain the heavy-lift capacity of the Royal Air Force…
While deliveries for the new platforms are anticipated to begin in the mid-2030s, a final decision regarding the number of helicopters to be procured has not yet been made.
The new procurement will serve as a follow-on to the 14 CH-47F Block II Extended Range (ER) heavy-lift transport helicopters ordered in 2024.
Initial deliveries for the 14 helicopters procured under the first contract are expected to begin in 2027.
The UK currently operates a total of 56 Chinook helicopters in various versions, including the modernized HC.6A configuration.
Older H-47 platforms approaching the end of their service lives are scheduled to be gradually retired in the coming years.
The CH-47F Block II Extended Range (ER) is a tandem-rotor heavy-lift transport helicopter developed by Boeing.
Under the modernization to the Block II standard, the drivetrain and airframe structure have been reinforced, and the maximum takeoff weight has been increased by approximately 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg).
Changes made to the fuel system have increased the operational range across nearly all payload configurations, significantly improving the platform’s heavy-lift performance.
The CH-47F Block II is capable of reaching a maximum cruise speed of 160 knots (296 km/h) and has a payload capacity of 26,000 lbs (approximately 11.8 tons) on the center hook, 17,000 lbs (approximately 7.7 tons) on the forward or aft hooks, and 25,000 lbs (approximately 11.3 tons) in a tandem hook configuration for external load missions…