MILLVILLE, N.J., 23 June 2012. Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the 100th modified CH-47F Chinook helicopter to the U.S. Army today in a ceremony at the company's modification center in Millville. Boeing opened the Millville facility, where the CH-47F modifications take place, in February 2010 after signing a five-year lease for hangar space with the Delaware River & Bay Authority at the Millville Municipal Airport.

After the Army takes delivery of the Chinooks from the Boeing production line in Philadelphia, the aircraft are flown to Millville, where structural and electrical employees make avionics and airframe modifications to support new Army requirements.

The CH-47F Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy lift helicopter. The CH-47F is an upgraded model of the CH-47D, which was designed in 1979. The CH-47F saw its first flight in 2001, and its first production model was built in 2006. The helicopter uses 4,868 shaft horsepower Honeywell engines, an upgraded airframe with a lower part count, and improved avionics. CH-47F helicopters are expected to extend the service life of Chinook class helicopters past 2030.

Boeing modifies the helicopters under an initial production and fielding support contract that also includes training support on the upgrades for Army Chinook units. Boeing also deploys two new equipment training teams, consisting of CH-47F mechanics and technicians, to support Army units at bases around the world.