Boeing delivered the 100th modified CH-47F Chinook helicopter to the U.S. Army June 22 in a ceremony at the company’s modification center in Millville. N.J.
“The Boeing Millville team is proud to have delivered 100 modified Chinooks to the Army on time, using efficient, cost-saving processes,” said Peri Widener, Boeing vice president of Rotorcraft Support. “The modification work on new F-model Chinooks gives soldiers in the field the most advanced equipment possible without taking aircraft out of service at the unit or in theater.”
“In just over two years since this facility opened its doors, we are marking completion of our 100th Chinook helicopter locally, thanks to outstanding cooperation among Boeing, the U.S. Army, the Delaware River & Bay Authority and the city of Millville,” said U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “I am proud to celebrate this milestone for high-tech industry in New Jersey.”
Boeing opened the Millville facility in February 2010 after signing a five-year lease for hangar space with the Delaware River & Bay Authority at the Millville Municipal Airport.
After the Army takes delivery of the Chinooks from the Boeing production line in Philadelphia, the aircraft are flown to Millville, where Boeing structural and electrical employees make avionics and airframe modifications to support new Army requirements.
“The Millville Modification Center is critical in providing modifications to the CH-47F prior to delivering the aircraft to Army units,” said Lt. Col. Brad Killen, CH-47F product manager for the Army.
Boeing modifies the helicopters under an Initial Production and Fielding Support contract that also includes training support on the upgrades for Army Chinook units. Boeing deploys two New Equipment Training teams, consisting of CH-47F mechanics and technicians, to support Army units around the world.
