Boeing delivered the first production CH-47F Chinook helicopter July 21, marking the beginning of the U.S. Army’s Chinook modernization program and the latest chapter in the aircraft’s 40-year history.

The aircraft, the first of seven production Lot 1 deliveries, will be used initially for flight demonstrations. The remaining six aircraft in Lot 1, all MH-47G Special Operations Chinooks, will be delivered by March 2005 to ensure that U.S. Army Special Operations forces can meet high priority operational needs.

“This delivery continues Boeing’s long history of producing and modernizing this vital aircraft for Army service and begins what is expected to be nearly 15 more years of business with our U.S. Army customer,” said Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager, Boeing Rotorcraft Systems.

“The Chinook is the world’s most advanced heavy-lift helicopter, and the Army’s commitment to the aircraft is a testament to its proven technology, productive history and continued relevance to the Army’s future.”

Boeing delivered the first of two F-model engineering and manufacturing development prototypes in May 2002. Like the prototypes, the first production CH-47F not only will extend the service of the fleet, but features numerous upgrades over its predecessors, including reduced vibration, improved avionics and more powerful engines to help improve mission performance and reduce operation and maintenance costs. Also, the aircraft’s improved cockpit design offers improved situational awareness to support emerging interoperability requirements.

“Delivery of the first production CH-47F is indeed a great achievement,” said Col. Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Cargo Helicopter program manager. “What makes it so much better is that the aircraft was delivered two months ahead of schedule. This demonstrates the great teamwork, commitment and focus by our entire government and contractor team. This is the beginning of a long production run that will benefit our soldiers for decades to come.”

Boeing’s longest running continuous production program, the Chinook first entered service with the U.S. Army in 1962, is in service with 20 allied nations and in use in countless military, civilian and humanitarian missions around the world every day. The U.S. Army will upgrade more than 300 D-model Chinooks to the fully modernized F-model configuration, extending the Chinook’s service life through at least 2030.