Aviation

U.S. Army Orders Additional Enhanced CH-47F Block II Chinooks

The U.S. Army has placed another order for two Boeing CH-47F Block II Chinooks and has long led funding for more helicopters

The U.S. Army has placed another order for two Boeing [NYSE: BA] CH-47F Block II Chinooks and has long led funding for more helicopters as part of the ongoing modernization of its heavy-lift helicopter fleet.

According to Ken Eland, vice president of Boeing and H-47 program manager, updating the Chinook for our Army customers is a top priority. “CH-47F Block II enhances readiness, reduces expenses for future maintenance, and offers uniformity across the fleet.

We’re committed to continuing to make the CH-47F Block II the finest choice for the Army’s heavy-lift mission. Modern technology is used to power the CH-47F Block II Chinook, including newly constructed fuel tanks, a stronger fuselage, and an improved drivetrain.

The Army gave Boeing a $136 million deal last year for the first four CH-47F Block II planes, whose manufacturing would start in April 2022. There are now six airplanes under the contract due to the Lot 2 deal, which is valued at $63 million. The price tag for the distinct Lot 3 advance procurement deal is $29 million.

The H-47 Chinook Block II by Boeing builds on their 60-year alliance with the U.S. Army. Over the course of that time, Boeing has given the U.S. Army more than 1,000 Chinook helicopters while regularly updating it to meet changing requirements. The Chinook serves a variety of purposes for the U.S. Army and 19 allies across the world, including transporting troops and equipment as well as providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.