Aerospace

U.S. Army Grounds Entire Fleet of Chinook Helicopters

U.S. Army grounds Boeing-made Chinook helicopters fleet

The US official grounded the entire new fleet of Chinooks that are equipped with Honeywell engines as a result of the precautions taken.

According to the most recent data, engine problems have not caused any injuries or fatalities. Depending on how long the order lasts, the grounding of the Chinook helicopters, a workhorse on the battlefield since the 1960s, might present logistical difficulties for American soldiers.

Approximately 400 Chinooks powered by Honeywell engines are being used by the US Army, according to the details. Boeing declined to respond to inquiries and sent them to the Army.

According to a Honeywell spokeswoman, the engine manufacturer collaborated with the army to find that certain O-ring components didn’t adhere to the company’s design requirements. According to him, the components were put at an Army installation during routine maintenance. The Honeywell official said the business is attempting to provide the Army with new parts, however, he declined to identify the manufacturer of the parts.

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According to an Army spokeswoman, the service has found the source of the fuel leaks that led to “a few engine fires among a few” of the helicopters. She claimed that the Army is acting to remedy the problem.

India received the first batch of Chinook helicopters in February 2019. Boeing completed the delivery of 15 Chinook helicopters to the Indian Air Force in 2020.

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Both regular and special Army personnel use the Chinook, a heavy-lift utility helicopter, to transport more than forty-dozen soldiers or items. For 60 years, it has been a mainstay of the Army’s helicopter fleet.

About 15 CH-47 Chinook helicopters are in India. They have become one of the most important military tools for airlift operations in places like Ladakh and the Siachen Glaciers to support Indian forces stationed in these areas over the past few years.

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Sources : WSJ

Related Topics:Apache helicopter chinook Helicopter

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.