US Special Operations Command receives CH-47 Chinook Block 2 Variant helicopters

Finally, the US Special Operations Command
Received new CH-47 Chinook Block 2 Variant helicopters

U.S. Special Operations Command Headquarters
(The United States Special Operations Command - SOCOM)
Received delivery of the MH-47G Block II Chinook, a new generation Chinook.
According to a report released to the public on September 1st,

Lieutenant Colonel Phil Ryan, Commanding Officer of the Air Force
Of the US Army Special Operations Unit
(US Army Special Operations Aviation Command - USASOAC)

It is the recipient of this helicopter model from Boeing.
This helicopter model will be put into use by
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
Also known as Night Stalkers
(160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - SOAR)

In addition, Boeing has been awarded a contract worth more than $265 million.
To procure nine more of this new Chinook for the Air Force Command.
of the US Army Special Operations Command in July
As a result of this contract, the Special Operations Command will be established.
The US Army can complement heavy/long-range units.
Of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment finally

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
MH-6 Little Bird, and MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAVs for service.
Previously, Boeing was awarded a contract to develop 23 new Chinooks.

"This Chinook delivery is an important step in the Chinook program," said Andy Biltmore.
H-47 vice president and program manager said in a statement.

"This new Chinook will provide the capability to challenge even more demanding missions and
Giving a new dimension of warfare to U.S. special operations forces"

"Despite the many obstacles that have arisen since March,"
"There are uncertainties, risks," Bilt said at the handover ceremony.
Various obstacles and predictions, including hand sanitizer gel
With plenty of production teams washing their hands, getting down to work, and putting in all their energy.
And double the encouragement so that these angels can be delivered today.
The work was continuous, seven days a week, month after month.
We created them in the midst of this crisis."

Boeing has produced three Chinooks for flight test.
The first helicopter at the US Special Operations Command headquarters
Delivered today, it is the first helicopter to be completely produced from the factory.
and will be used in the missions of the Special Operations Command Aviation Command.
Of the United States Army

This upgraded Chinook Block 2 will feature a lighter and more rigid airframe and a new propeller drive system that includes the use of
Boeing's new advanced composite rotor blades (ACRBs)
This will be a propeller that can increase the lift of the Chinook to more than 680 kilograms.
The helicopter also features a new fuel storage compartment that will make the aircraft
Additional oil can be brought to support refueling.
To vehicles of ground units in special operations bases located at the front line.

In addition, the Chinook's flight range and payload were also increased.

The helicopter is armed with a M137 machine gun that fires 7.62 mm ammunition.
It is an electric, air-cooled, twin-barrel M240 machine gun.
Attached to both sides of the helicopter's fuel tanks at the front and rear of the aircraft.

The Special Operations Chinook weighs 24 tons.
While a typical Chinook weighs 22 tons,

The MH-47 Chinook helicopter is used as a full-scale attack helicopter.
By the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, it will be used.
To lead special operations forces into and out of the operational area
This helicopter can also carry supplies to support special operations forces.
On the front line and can also operate as a command center
(Airborne C2 Command&Control) as well.

The original MH-47G Chinook helicopter has been in service for many years.
It is a large standard helicopter used by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Of the US Special Operations Command

In April 2017, the U.S. Army approved the Chinook Block 2 program.
Enter the engineering and manufacturing design development phase.
The project officially began in July 2017.

The U.S. Army originally planned to purchase 542 Chinook Block 2s.
It is divided into 473 F-models and 69 G-models.
However, this plan was scrapped in the 2020 budget proposal.
and plan to buy only the G model.

The U.S. Army has decided to retire the Chinook from active duty service.
Based on the decision from the US Army's desire to procure
Two new vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for long-range strike and reconnaissance missions

However, the US Congress has disputed the US Army's decision.
Added a $28 million budget increase in the 2020 budget plan.
For the Chinook program to purchase Chinook Block 2 F variant for active duty forces.

However, the army did not request a budget for the budget plan.
2021 for this program

Source: https://defence-blog.com/news/army/boeing-delivers-next-generation-of-transport-helicopter-to-special-ops.html
Translated by Thepphong Chaiyarat on September 1, 2020.
Compiled by Ranakrit " VikinGz " Sriphumma on October 12, 2020.