Rotorcraft
Chinook 'Block 2' Program Could Begin in 2017, Army Says
The U.S. Army plans to extend the life of its venerable CH-47 Chinook another 45 years through a series of block upgrades.
The U.S. Army now has 309 CH-47F Chinooks, which are replacing D models as they are fielded. It also has 150 E models. (Photo: Boeing)
The U.S. Army now has 309 CH-47F Chinooks, which are replacing D models as they are fielded. It also has 150 E models. (Photo: Boeing)

The U.S. Army’s proposed Block 2 upgrade of the CH-47 Chinook could begin in 2017 if the service and the Pentagon work out the details of an official program, according to the Army’s cargo helicopters program manager. The Army plans to extend the service life of the Boeing workhorse helicopter another 45 years through a series of upgrades, similar to what it has done for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.