posted on Nov, 12 2006 @ 02:44 AM
Boeing won the Combat Search & Rescue Contract, The 10 billion dollar deal will replace the current 101 Sikorsky HH-60G Pavehawks with 141 HH-47
Chinook's.
The Chinook design is over 40 years old...and looks like it will stand strong for a couple more decades.
The 3 choppers that were in the running are: Boeing HH-47 / Lockheed Martin US101 / Sikorsky HH-92.
The reasons that the Chinook one was because it had many systems that were either already developed or in the pipeline for the Block 10 version. It
can haul more, its faster, greater range, the least amount of downwash, and if one engine goes out it can still fly.
Heres a good article by Flight Global on why Boeing won.
Why Boeing's
HH-47 Chinook won the CSAR-X competition
Heres Boeing's page
Boeing Awarded U.S. Air Force Combat Search and Rescue Contract
This is my favorite pic of the Chinook.....(thats some impressive piloting skills)