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Aug. 22, 2011 / 2:46 PM

Britain orders Chinooks

U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters depart Forward Operating Base Wolverine, Afghanistan on December 15, 2009. UPI/Efren Lopez/U.S. Air Force

U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters depart Forward Operating Base Wolverine, Afghanistan on December 15, 2009. UPI/Efren Lopez/U.S. Air Force | License Photo

RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa., Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Britain's air force is to receive 14 new CH-47 Chinook helicopters from Boeing under a $1.64 billion Ministry of Defense contract, Boeing announced.

The award includes associated support for five years.

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The new-build CH-47 Mark -6 Chinooks are part of the ministry's Strategic Helicopter Vision to modernize its helicopter force structure and will expand the air force fleet to 60 Chinooks.

"From the Falkland Islands to Iraq and Afghanistan, the air force has operated Chinooks magnificently for many years in the most demanding environments," said Secretary of State for Defense Liam Fox.

"These additional helicopters will significantly enhance our existing heavy-lift helicopter capability. This fleet will support our frontline troops in current and future operations for decades to come."

The new aircraft will be produced at Boeing's recently renovated Ridley Township facility near Philadelphia and are scheduled for delivery from 2013 through 2015.

The CH-47 Mk-6 Chinook has a new, machined monolithic airframe with U.K.-specific avionics, forward-looking infrared radar, a rescue hoist, aircraft defensive systems and interoperable communication and navigation equipment.

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