WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Boeing has been awarded a more-than $26-million contract to upgrade and manufacture modified Chinook MH-47G heavy lift helicopters for the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the US Department of Defense announced in a press release.
"Boeing Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $26,999,498 task order for a contract for non-recurring engineering effort to prepare to manufacture Block 2 MH-47G aircraft," the release said on Thursday. "The Block 2 MH-47G renew will be accomplished by incorporating new, salvaged, reworked or recapped government furnished equipment or contractor furnished equipment components into an upgraded airframe."
The Defense Department explained the helicopter is designed to meet SOCOM's specifications. The aircraft has in-flight refueling capability, sensor and self-defense systems, a digital flight control system, and weight reduction modifications to allow for longer range.