Boeing Upgrades Special Ops Chinooks with Advanced Control Technology
Boeing has secured a $55.4 million contract to upgrade the MH-47G Chinook helicopters used by the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, also known as the Night Stalkers.
The Active Parallel Actuator System (APAS) will be integrated into the helicopters, providing pilots with more precise control and awareness during demanding flight profiles.
Developed in collaboration with BAE Systems, APAS works alongside the existing Digital Automatic Flight Control System to offer tactile cues and force feedback through the conventional controls.
This technology is particularly relevant for the MH-47G Block II, which combines advanced navigation equipment, terrain following radar, aerial refueling capability, and extended fuel capacity for long-range, low-level missions.
Boeing's Jason Hickman, project manager for the MH-47G program and a former Night Stalker Chinook pilot, noted that 'Technology like APAS fits perfectly in that portfolio.'