Boeing Secures $877 Million MH-47G Contract: Boost for US Special Operations Chinook Helicopters
Washington, DC, November 23 - In a major win for Boeing's defense portfolio, the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has awarded the aerospace giant an $877.7 million fixed-price contract for advanced MH-47G Block II Chinook helicopters, announced on November 20, 2025. This substantial Boeing MH-47G order underscores the growing demand for heavy-lift rotorcraft in special operations, enhancing the capabilities of elite units like the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Likely encompassing around 18 aircraft based on prior pricing benchmarks, the deal extends production through 2030 and solidifies Boeing's role as a cornerstone supplier in U.S. military aviation modernization. Assembled at Boeing's Ridley Park facility in Pennsylvania, these MH-47G special operations Chinooks will bolster the fleet's readiness for high-stakes missions worldwide.
The MH-47G Chinook, a battle-proven derivative of the iconic CH-47F platform, is engineered for the unforgiving demands of special operations flying. Featuring an integrated aerial refueling probe, state-of-the-art avionics, and enhanced navigation systems, the helicopter excels in long-range troop insertions, extractions, and resupply operations in hostile terrains. Its modular payload design accommodates specialized equipment, while defensive upgrades, including 7.62mm machine guns, laser warning systems, electronic countermeasures, and spectral flares, provide robust protection against threats. With a reinforced airframe, redesigned fuel tanks for extended endurance, and monolithic fuselage structures, the MH-47G Block II variant represents the pinnacle of Chinook evolution, ensuring superior heavy-lift performance for SOCOM's global reach.
This contract arrives on the heels of Boeing's recent MH-47G successes, including a $240 million award in March 2025 for five additional aircraft and a $115 million deal in June 2024 for two more, bringing the total under contract to over 46 units. Deliveries are slated to commence in 2027, aligning with SOCOM's aggressive fleet expansion to counter evolving threats. The order not only sustains Boeing's optimal production rate of 30-36 Chinooks annually but also supports more than 20,000 jobs across 360 suppliers in 40 states, injecting economic vitality into the U.S. defense industrial base. As international allies like the UK and Germany ramp up their own Chinook acquisitions, Boeing's MH-47G production line emerges as a linchpin in allied interoperability and deterrence strategies.
Ultimately, this $877 million infusion signals unwavering confidence in Boeing's Chinook lineage, fortifying U.S. special operations with unmatched aerial dominance. As geopolitical tensions escalate, the MH-47G's deployment will prove instrumental in safeguarding national security, proving once again that heavy-lift helicopters like the Chinook remain indispensable assets in modern warfare. Boeing's commitment to innovation ensures these special operations Chinooks will soar into the future, ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.