Boeing Delivers 17th CH-47F Chinook Block I Transport Helicopter to the Spanish Army

On October 15, Boeing announced the successful delivery of the seventeenth CH-47F Chinook Block I transport helicopter to the Spanish Army. This significant milestone marks the fulfillment of an intergovernmental agreement signed between Spain and the United States in January 2019. Under this program, Spain’s existing fleet of CH-47D helicopters underwent extensive rebuilding and modernization to meet the advanced CH-47F standards, thereby enhancing the military’s transport capabilities. The delivery of this seventeenth helicopter concludes the current phase of the program, although plans for further expansion are already in motion. In July 2023, a new production agreement was established between the U.S. Department of Defense and Boeing, which includes provisions for an eighteenth CH-47F Chinook for Spain, slated for delivery by 2026. This addition is expected to bolster Spain’s operational capacity significantly. The CH-47F Chinook has become a crucial asset for the Spanish military, facilitating transport missions across all branches of the armed forces.

The Boeing CH-47 Chinook, developed by the American rotorcraft manufacturer Vertol and now produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is a heavy-lift tandem-rotor helicopter known for its substantial lifting capabilities. The name “Chinook” originates from the Native American Chinook people of Oregon and Washington state. The military variant of the Chinook has seen extensive global deployment, with the U.S. Army and the Royal Air Force being its largest operators. The civilian variant, the Boeing Vertol 234, has been employed not only for passenger and cargo transport but also in aerial firefighting and various industries, including logging, construction, and oil extraction. Since its introduction, various improved and more powerful versions of the CH-47 have been developed. The CH-47 helicopters of numerous nations have played active roles in the Afghanistan War, including contributions from the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Canada, and Australia. Despite its age, the Chinook continues to be in high demand due to its versatility and capacity to operate in challenging environments.

The latest mainstream model, the CH-47F, boasts significant upgrades aimed at reducing maintenance needs, incorporating digitized flight controls, and powered by two 4,733-horsepower Honeywell engines. The CH-47F, an upgraded version of the CH-47D, made its maiden flight in 2001, with the first production model rolling out from Boeing’s facility in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, in 2006. This model features advanced Honeywell engines and an airframe designed for lower maintenance requirements. The improved construction reduces vibration and increases the service life of the aircraft. The CH-47F can achieve speeds exceeding 175 mph with a payload capacity of over 21,000 lbs. Its avionics include a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit and BAE Systems’ Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS). By August 2008, Boeing had delivered 48 CH-47Fs to the U.S. Army, announcing a $4.8 billion contract for 191 Chinooks at that time.

The first remanufactured CH-47 Chinook helicopter was delivered to the Spanish Army at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Spanish Army Airmobile Forces in Colmenar Viejo, Madrid. The aircraft is the first of 17 that will modernize the Spanish Chinook fleet, upgrading their existing CH-47D-model aircraft to the newer CH-47F model.
The Spanish Army CH-47F features a digital automatic flight control system, common avionics architecture system and advanced cargo handling to meet the Spanish Army’s modernization needs for increased operational capacity, while ensuring interoperability with allied nations. As of 2023, Spain plans to upgrade 17 CH-47s to the CH-47F standard, having successfully upgraded 13 CH-47Ds and acquired four new CH-47F helicopters. The Spanish modernization effort coincides with its European counterparts across the region. The Netherlands recently retired its last CH-47D Chinook in favor of the F-model configuration, while the United Kingdom purchased additional aircraft to upgrade its fleet.