Boeing tapped for Chinook helicopters for Saudi Arabia

May 28 (UPI) -- Boeing has been awarded a contract by the Defense Department for eight CH-47F Chinook helicopters for Saudi Arabia.

The contract, from U.S. Army Contracting Command, is valued at more than $25.7 million under the terms of a foreign military sales contract that enables Boeing to build eight new CH-47F Chinook helicopters for the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command, the Pentagon said.

The Chinook helicopter has been in regular use since it was first introduced in the early 1960s, and first saw operational use during the Vietnam War.

Boeing's CH-47F Chinook variant is an advanced multi-mission helicopter that has a fully-integrated, digital cockpit management system, along with advanced cargo-handling capabilities, according to Boeing.

Work on the contract will occur in Ridley Township, Pa., and is expected to be complete in July 2021.

The total cumulative value of the contract will be obligated to Boeing at time of award from fiscal 2017 foreign military sales funds, the Pentagon said.