The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed to Parliament that the Chinook H-47 Extended Range (ER) program is progressing on schedule. The first two airframes are currently being assembled at Boeing’s Philadelphia facility, with initial deliveries planned for 2027. A total of 14 new H-47 ER helicopters will gradually replace the oldest 14 Chinooks in the Royal Air Force fleet, ensuring that heavy-lift availability remains uninterrupted throughout the transition.
London reaffirmed that the acquisition remains on track, citing parliamentary reports confirming that manufacturing has begun in the United States and that the replacement sequence will maintain operational readiness. Oversight of the project falls under the newly formed National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), which monitors progress across major defense programs.
The H-47 ER retains the Chinook’s signature tandem-rotor layout but introduces a fully digital glass cockpit, an advanced autopilot, and updated flight management software that eases pilot workload—particularly during instrument flight and confined-area approaches. Its extended range comes from enlarged fuel tanks integrated into the airframe’s sponsons and efficiency improvements drawn from the Block II standard. Powered by the T55 engine family, the helicopter maintains strong lift capability in hot and high conditions. British-sourced flight control and electronic warfare components further improve maintainability and interoperability within NATO frameworks.
Certification risks identified by NISTA in mid-2025 are being closely monitored. The agency emphasized the importance of smooth coordination between US and UK aviation authorities to maintain momentum. According to the MoD, preparatory flight trials are set for 2027, with full certification by the UK Military Aviation Authority targeted shortly thereafter.
With greater operational reach, the H-47 ER will be able to connect distant forward bases without refueling, resupply dispersed units, and deploy fully equipped troops in a single sortie. Enhanced power margins, superior hover performance, and improved night visibility make it safer and more efficient in complex environments. The expected result: fewer missions needed to achieve the same logistical effect.
The UK has also started personnel preparations, with instructor training for British crews commencing in the United States in August 2025, alongside simulator development. The new sub-fleet will feature Northrop Grumman’s Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) to counter evolving infrared threats.
The Chinook H-47 ER program reinforces NATO’s heavy-lift capability at a time when air logistics remains crucial from the Baltic to the Middle East. If the current schedule holds, the 14 helicopters entering service from 2027 will enhance the RAF’s capacity for special operations, intra-theater mobility, and maritime deployments—while solidifying the transatlantic industrial partnership that underpins the program.
