Boeing to build helicopters in Ridley Park for U.S. Army

Boeing, as part of a $246.48 million contract with the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command, will build six more MH-47G Block II Chinooks. The fixed fee and firm-fixed-price modification was worth $212.6 million.

Most of the work will be conducted at the company’s Ridley Park facility.

This contract brings the company’s obligation to 30 MH-47G Block II Chinooks. Four have already been delivered, and the rest will begin being delivered in 2023.

The helicopters will use the new Active Parallel Actuator Subsystem (APAS), a mission system that helps pilots execute more difficult maneuvers while improving safety and reliability in flight.

“APAS is one of many next-level capabilities that allows the Chinook to deliver more payload – faster, farther and smarter,” Andy Builta, Boeing vice president and H-47 program manager, said.

The aircraft also feature weight reduction initiatives like new lighter weight fuel pods that increase performance and efficiency and improved structure.

In addition, Boeing will provide the U.S. Special Operations Command with eight spare shipsets for the remanufactured rotary-wing military aircraft, the Department of Defense said.

The MH-47G is the special operations variant of the Chinook platform. The first ones were delivered in September 2020.

In Pennsylvania, more than 4,600 Boeing employees support military aircraft.