KBR has been awarded a $229-million contract to identify and develop potential improvements for the CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter.
Under the agreement, the Houston-based firm will research, analyze, assess, and develop recommendations aimed at increasing the helicopter’s availability and reliability, as well as reducing support costs.
To do these, KBR will conduct maintainability, quality, supportability, and interoperability analyses on the Chinook. It will also provide logistics management, testing program management, independent verification and validation, as well as lifecycle and cost analyses over a five-year period.
The contract work will be carried out in Huntsville, Alabama.
“This is a significant win for KBR and we’re proud to continue supporting this important program and the wider US Department of Defense,” President and CEO Stuart Bradie explained. “Our subject matter experts play an important role in developing and maintaining systems for the US military, which is critical for national security.”
‘A Critical Workhorse’
Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook is a tandem-rotor helicopter designed for a variety of missions, including cargo and troop transport, search and rescue, casualty evacuation, special operations, and humanitarian or disaster relief efforts.
Regarded as “a critical workhorse” of the US Army, the Chinook features a spacious fuselage capable of carrying up to 36 fully equipped troops, or a combination of cargo and passengers.
Its large rear cargo ramp allows for rapid loading and unloading, making it highly versatile.
The aircraft has a maximum speed of 302 kilometers (187 miles) per hour and can reach an altitude of 20,000 feet (6,096 meters).
In addition to the US Army, the CH-47 is currently in service with the armed forces of 20 countries worldwide.
