Follow-on order for USASOAC MH-47G Chinooks
On 3 March 2022, Boeing Defense announced to have received the next order for a new batch of MH-47G Block II Chinook helicopters from the United States Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC).
The contract is valued at USD195 million, and covers production and delivery of six of these special forces helicopters. Delivery of the newly ordered examples is scheduled to commence in 2024. Including a single prototype, this brings the total number of MH-47G Block II helicopters on order to thirty-seven.
The USASOAC envisions a total fleet of 69 MH-47G Block IIs, which will replace the survivors of the 73 older MH-47Gs which are currently in use. On 1 September 2021, it was announced that the first production example had been delivered and to date a total of five helicopters have already been accepted by the USASOAC.
The Block II variant is fitted with Advanced Chinook Rotor Blades, redesigned fuel tanks which save weight and can carry more fuel, improved drivetrain and strengthened fuselage. The goal of these modifications is to increase the lifting capability of the helicopter and the performance at high altitude and hot conditions.
The MH-47Gs are operated by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). The MH-47Gs are operated by the 1st Battalion and 2nd Battalion (1-160th SOAR and 2-160th SOAR) at Campbell AAF (Fort Campbell) (KY), the 3rd Battalion (3-160th SOAR) at Hunter AAF (Fort Stewart) (GA), the 4th Battalion (4-160th SOAR) at Fort Lewis-Tacoma/Gray AAF (WA) and the Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion (SOATB/160th SOAR) at Campbell AAF (Fort Campbell) (KY).
According to the Scramble Magazine database the following MH-47G have been identified. Apart from serial 00-02160 all construction numbers are the last four of the serial, although FY12, FY13 and FY18 are not confirmed yet:
Photo by Boeing Defense