Egypt Air-Force Egypt Purchases New Boeing CH-47F Chinooks to Modernize Fleet

[Isa Khan]

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 3, 2023 — The U.S. Army has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a contract to produce 12 new CH-47F Chinooks for the Egyptian Air Force. With this $426 million foreign military sale, Egypt will replace its fleet of CH-47D aircraft with the modern F model, and benefit from its advanced multi-mission capabilities.

“The F-model aircraft will enhance Egypt’s Chinook capabilities and help effectively accomplish its heavy-lift objectives,” said Ken Eland, vice president and H-47 program manager. “Boeing’s partnership with the Egyptian Air Force remains strong as we continue to work together to modernize their fleet.”

The CH-47F is an advanced multi-mission helicopter for the U.S. Army and international defense forces. It contains a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities complementing the aircraft's mission performance and handling characteristics.

“Boeing is committed to supporting the defense modernization mission of the Egyptian armed forces and ensuring the best capability for Egypt’s national defense and security,” added Vince Logsdon, vice president, Boeing International Business Development.

Team Chinook is led by the U.S. Army, who with 19 allied international customers, collectively operate a fleet of more than 950 aircraft.

Egypt Purchases New Boeing CH-47F Chinooks to Modernize Fleet

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. XX, 2022 — The U.S. Army has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a contract to produce X new CH-47F Chinooks for the Egyptian Air Force. With this $426 million foreign military sale,...

boeing.mediaroom.com

 

[Gamal]

The Egyptian CH-47 Chinook

Originally manufactured as model BV-219 Chinooks by Augusta in Italy, these year 2000 photographs show the Iran/Egypt C model equivalents sporting metal rotor blades, a desert sand paint scheme, and a less than ideal state of repair.

Note the square devices around the landing gear. These are rodent boots designed to prevent rats are other creatures from climbing up into the aircraft. Rodents tend to chew on the electrical wiring wreaking havoc with the various aircraft systems.

The Chinooks shown above were manufactured by Elicopteri Meridionali, in Frosinone, Italy. Originally destined for the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF), they were never delivered as a result of the fall of the Shah of Iran in 1979. The Egyptian Air Force purchased 15 of these helicopters and placed them into service with their Air Force in 1981. Elicopteri Meridionali was a part of the Agusta group, which eventually solely used the name Agusta. Under the terms of their licensing arrangement with Boeing, Agusta was to sell CH-47C helicopters in the Mediterranean and in the Middle East, so they supplied Chinooks to Egypt, Greece, Libya and Morocco. The first batch of 20 CH-47C's Augusta produced were destined for Iran. However, what became of those initial aircraft was uncertain because, after the fall of the Shah of Iran, the Iranian government was in a state of turmoil and communication with knowledgeable people inside the country was all but lost and remained so for many years afterward.

 

[Gamal]

Pictured to the right are the C models purchased by Egypt, when they were new.

When the government of Egypt purchased the Iranian Chinooks it had no qualified pilots to operate their new helicopters. The U.S. Army was engaged to fly the Chinooks from the factory in Italy to their new home in Egypt. Air Crews from units stationed in Germany were called upon to participate in the adventure. Units in Europe at the time were the 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Big Windy", 295th ASHC - "Cyclones", and 205th ASHC - "Geronimos".

Geronimo Participants

	CPT Harold S. Barrett	CW3 James E. Coleman	SSG Robert Davis
	CPT Gary S. Mulrooney	CW3 Jimmie Husband	SGT Jack G. England
	CPT Michael P. Breithaupt	CW2 Randall D. Sizemore	SP4 Craig M. Brayer
	CW3 William Atkinson	SFC Armando Valdez	SP4 Michael K. Hotsenpiller
	CW3 Stephan J. Weissenberger	SSG William J. Walter	SP4 Joe B. Deathrage

 

[Gamal]

"If the 'C' models are upgraded, they would have an aircraft equal to the U.S. Army, and we could provide them Army support," Johnny McMullen, chief of the SAMD general aviation branch, said. "Egypt is considering upgrading 10 of their 'C' models to the 'D' configuration."

The CH-47D's primary mission is moving artillery, ammunition, personnel, equipment, supplies, barrier material, and fuel on the battlefield. In civil service, the CH-47D can perform rescue, aeromedical, and parachuting missions in times of national emergency. The CH-47D can fly day or night in almost any weather.

"You do not have to have a war to get good use out of the Chinook," Richardson said.

Who is that guy behind those Foster Grants?

CW4 Harry Champagne, pictured above, was instrumental in the delivery of four CH-47D Chinook to the Egyptian government in 2000. Mr. Champagne was assigned to Corpus Christi Army Depot, Corpus Christi, Texas at the time. He served with the United States Army at the repair facility conducting test flights on the Chinook prior to their delivery to various units around the world. In 2001, he retired from the U.S. Army and began employment as a Department of the Army Civilian (DAC), still piloting the mighty Chinook helicopter.

Below, one of the Egyptian CH-47D Chinooks, circa 2000. Notice the triple hook configuration, the Engine Air Particle System (EAPS) to keep the sand out of the engines, the ARC-199 high frequency radio antennna, a radar radome on the nose (the aircraft sported color weather radar), and fiberglass rotor blades:

 

[Gamal]

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, or IDS, is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.

Newly converted D models make their way to Egypt:

Six old Augusta built Egyptian C models arriving at the port in Pennsylvania for refit, circa 2002:

20 November 2005: An Egyptian CH-47D Chinook seen at the Dubai Airshow.