The major helicopter development activities at Boeing today centre on three programmes: the CH-47 Medium Lift helicopter (MLH), the YUH-61A Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS), and the XCH-62 Heavy Lift (HLH) helicopter.
The CH-47 Chinook helicopter was introduced into the US Army inventory in 1962 and has had a history of dynamic engineering development. The initial CH-47 A helicopter had a maximum gross weight of 33 000 lb; the CH-47B, introduced in 1967, had a maximum weight of 40 000 lb; the CH-47C (1968) had a maximum weight of 46 000 lb; and the Canadian Forces CH-147 (1974), a maximum weight of 50 000 lb. Our current development efforts are aimed at modernisation of early aircraft to equip the US Army fleet for operation through the 1980s.