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The U.S. Army, which expects to deploy its first Boeing CH-47F in July, last month ordered 66 more of the heavy-lift aircraft for $1.5 billion. Six Fs began arriving last June and are in final testing at Fort Campbell, KY., home of the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Rucker, AL.; and Redstone Arsenal, AL. The Army ordered 30 Fs in fiscal 2005 and plans to buy up to 452, eventually. Boeing's Philadelphia plant is turning out three F-model Chinooks a month, including new and remanufactured helicopters.

Changes from the Army’s D model include a cockpit suite with five multifunction digital displays, replacing analog avionics and navigational systems. The new global positioning system-guided avionics can fly the aircraft automatically in a hover, then swoop into a landing area. The F also has composite body panels to replace some sheet metal. Like the D, the F carries the common missile warning improved countermeasure dispenser system, which uses infrared and ultraviolet sensors to spot incoming munitions and launch chaff and flares.

The F model is 83% similar to the 37 G models operated by the Army’s special-operations units, Army officials said. The F model can carry 21,500 pounds of passengers or cargo, enough to move 33 troops, a Humvee and some gear in a single trip.

The helicopter's advanced avionics provide improved situational awareness for flight crews with an advanced digital map display and a data transfer system that allows storing of preflight and mission data. Also, the BAE digital advanced flight control system replaces a legacy analog system. Improved survivability features include common missile warning and improved countermeasure dispenser systems.

Powered by two 4868-horsepower Honeywell engines, the new CH-47F can reach speeds greater than 175 mph and transport payloads weighing more than 21,000 pounds. The CH-47F, with the Robertson Aviation extended range fuel system, has a mission radius greater than 400 miles.