Boeing has announced the proposal for a CH-47F Block II heavy-lift helicopter sale to Poland. Following AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, Boeing is aiming for the sale of CH-47F Block II helicopters.
Currently, Poland doesn't possess a heavy-lift helicopter in its fleet. The in-service helicopters are either lightweight or medium-class utility helicopters with limited internal and external payload capacity.
The latest variant of the long-serving Chinook features two Lycoming T55-GA-714A turboshaft engines rated at 4700+ hp each and carrying a capacity of 10 tonnes.
Germany was the first to order the new variant from the EU to replace the ageing CH-53G helicopters. 60 units have been ordered to modernise the cargo helicopter fleet.
The U.S. Army is also planning to start developing the CH-47F Block III upgrade, which will feature 6000 hp engines and a new fuselage to boost the carrying capacity further.
No exact date has been given for the upgrade, but it is known that development will begin after 2025.
