A CH-47D Chinook helicopter in the distance breaks away from formation with its replacement, the CH-47F, in its last flight out of Fort Hood, Texas, June 10, 2008. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
On January 3, Boeing announced that it had been awarded a contract by the United States Army to produce CH-47F Chinooks helicopters for the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) under a $426 million deal.
In a statement, the aerospace giant said that the deal allow Egypt to replace its fleet of ageing CH-47D helicopters with the modern F model, and “benefit from its advanced multi-mission capabilities.”
“The F-model aircraft will enhance Egypt’s Chinook capabilities and help effectively accomplish its heavy-lift objectives,” said Ken Eland, vice president and CH-47 program manager. “Boeing’s partnership with the Egyptian Air Force remains strong as we continue to work together to modernize their fleet.”
According to Boeing, the CH-47F helicopter has a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities complementing the aircraft’s mission performance and handling characteristics.
The tandem rotor helicopter has a combat range of up to 370 kilometers. It can carry up to 55 troops or 10,886 kg of payload.
In May, the U.S. Department of States approved the possible sale of up to 23 CH-47F helicopters to Egypt with related equipment, including advanced missile, radar and laser warning systems, for a total of $2.6 billion. The EAF has apparently opted to purchase 12 helicopters only.
The EAF has been working to improve its logistic transport capabilities with help from the U.S. Last year, Egypt ordered 12 C-130J-30 Super Hercules military transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin in a deal worth $2.2 billion.
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What is the US getting in return? One must wonder
Hmm I don’t know, maybe 426 million dollars!
Yankland would go broke if there was no war