Army Special Operations orders five Boeing MH-47G Block II Chinooks

The U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) has awarded Boeing a $240 million contract for the remanufacture of five MH-47G Block II Chinook helicopters.

This order underscores the Army's commitment to modernizing its special operations aviation capabilities and ensuring its forces have access to the most advanced heavy-lift platforms available. Deliveries of these remanufactured Chinooks are slated to commence in 2027.

"Supporting the needs of our special operators continues to be critically important," stated Heather McBryan, vice president and program manager for Cargo Programs at Boeing Defense, Space & Security. She emphasized the significance of providing USASOAC with the enhanced capabilities of the MH-47G Block II, given their unique and complex mission requirements: "USASOAC has unique and complex mission requirements, so it’s vital we provide the enhanced capabilities of the MH-47G Block II as quickly as possible."

This latest contract follows USASOAC's acquisition of four MH-47G Block II aircraft earlier in 2024. With this recent award, the Army now has a total of 51 MH-47G Block II aircraft under contract, solidifying its investment in this advanced platform. Boeing anticipates completing the remanufacturing and delivery of the entire USASOAC Chinook fleet by the early 2030s.

The MH-47G Block II represents a significant upgrade to the Chinook platform, enhancing USASOAC's global reach and heavy-lift capabilities.

According to a Boeing press release, the aircraft is designed for long-term operational effectiveness, boasting a reinforced airframe, redesigned fuel tanks, and a modular design that facilitates future modernization efforts. These improvements ensure that the MH-47G Block II remains a relevant and capable asset for decades to come, supporting critical special operations missions around the world.

Special maintenance crane under development for president’s Boeing 747

In the shadowy world where aviation maintenance meets national security, a new crane is under development for the Commander in Chief’s Boeing 747-200B aircraft.

Defense contractor S.A.F.E. Structure Designs announced on Monday that it has secured a contract with L3Harris Technologies to develop a bespoke aircraft maintenance crane for the president’s aircraft.

The new crane will support the delicate installation and removal of the radome, the very crown of the presidential aircraft.

A radome is the protective aerodynamic covering that houses the radar antenna, essential for various functions like weather radar, communication, and navigation. The radome on the president’s plane, like those on other aircraft, serves to protect the radar antenna from environmental factors such as rain, ice, hail, and bird strikes.

S.A.F.E. Structure Designs is no stranger to the veiled world of military aviation. Their past exploits include the creation of two custom cranes, already in active service, supporting maintenance operations on other presidential planes. This new contract deepens their involvement, solidifying their position as guardians of presidential fleet maintenance.

"Our team at SAFE Structure is humbly honored to support the operational readiness of Air Force One and Air Force Two," declared Johnny Buscema Jr., president & CEO of S.A.F.E. Structure Designs. Both aircraft are designated VC-25A and have tail numbers 28000 and 29000.

Contrary to popular belief, "Air Force One" isn’t a plane. It’s a radio call sign used by any plane the president travels in.

Beyond this singular contract, S.A.F.E. Structure Designs operates in the shadows, specializing in customized aviation maintenance platforms, ground support equipment, and aircraft maintenance tooling for military, government, and commercial aviation operations.