MH-47 Chinook

The MH-47 CHINOOK program, under United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), is a key aviation procurement initiative focused on sustaining and modernizing the Special Operations Forces (SOF) heavy assault helicopter fleet. The primary objective of this line item is to ensure the long-term availability of a capable and reliable rotary wing platform that can support global SOF missions, including rapid deployment, long-range penetration, and operations in contested or anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments. The program is executed through the Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) component, which is responsible for maintaining a fleet of specialized MH-47G Chinook aircraft.

A central goal of the MH-47 CHINOOK line item is the replacement of aging legacy airframes with newly machined airframes that incorporate emerging technologies. The legacy fleet, primarily constructed of sheet metal, has experienced increased maintenance requirements, fatigue, and corrosion due to high operational tempo and continuous combat operations. To address these issues and maintain mission effectiveness, the program funds the manufacture of new machined airframes and the retrofit of existing machined airframes with the latest engineering improvements.

The FY 2026 budget request funds the production of new machined airframes, as well as the procurement of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), SOF-peculiar mission kits, block modifications, production engineering, technical publications, and program management. These investments are intended to address not only structural fatigue and corrosion but also to enhance the aircraft's survivability, reliability, and maintainability in response to emerging threats and operational requirements.

Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) is a significant component of the program, with funding increases allocated to replace unserviceable or salvaged components needed to support the production line. The GFE includes mission-specific kits and advanced avionics that enable the MH-47G to perform specialized SOF missions. The budget also supports updates to maintenance manuals and flight publications to reflect the integration of advanced flight controls and other new technologies into the fleet.

Block Modifications and Production Engineering are critical objectives within this line item. Funding is provided to incorporate advanced flight controls and other technological enhancements into both newly produced and previously fielded aircraft. This ensures that the entire MH-47G Block II fleet maintains a consistent level of capability and performance. The program also addresses safety concerns and reliability issues through ongoing engineering and qualification efforts.

Program Management and Support activities are funded to oversee the production, integration, and fielding of the upgraded helicopters. This includes managing contracts with Boeing (the primary manufacturer in Philadelphia, PA), coordinating with Army procurement for common production and long-lead material costs, and ensuring timely delivery of aircraft to meet operational demands. The program leverages negotiations with the contractor to increase procurement quantities and control costs, as evidenced by the extension of previous pricing and subsequent cost reductions.

The MH-47 CHINOOK line item is justified by the need to sustain a mission-ready SOF heavy assault fleet capable of supporting multi-domain operations worldwide. The program addresses both immediate operational losses and long-term fleet modernization, ensuring that ARSOA can continue to provide organic, strategic rotary wing support to USSOCOM. Congressional support, including additional funding for operational losses, underscores the criticality of this program to national defense objectives.