News
Boeing and AgustaWestland announce CH-47F Chinook Helicopter Industrial Agreement at Farnborough Air

July 22, 2008, Farnborough, U.K. – The Boeing Company and
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, signed an agreement for the
joint manufacture of new CH-47F Chinook helicopters for the Italian
Army in a ceremony held on at the Farnborough Airshow. As prime
contractor for the Italian CH-47F, AgustaWestland will be responsible
for design and systems integration, as well as aircraft delivery to the
Italian Army. Boeing Rotorcraft Systems will build the fuselage in
Ridley Park, Pa.
 
“This industrial agreement further expands our network of partnerships,
allowing us to strengthen our long-lasting role as CH-47 Chinook
supplier to the Italian Army and other operators in Europe and
elsewhere," said Giuseppe Orsi, AgustaWestland CEO. “This is an
exciting moment for two great companies,” said Chuck Allen, Vice
President and General Manager of Boeing Rotorcraft Systems. “This
arrangement continues our long-standing relationship on the Chinook
program and marks an important step forward in the long and fruitful
co-operation between our companies. We are very proud that the result
of this agreement will provide the Italian Army a new generation of
multi-role helicopters.”

Boeing and AgustaWestland are committed to providing the Italian Army
the multi-mission performance and advanced capabilities of the CH-47F
while keeping the program affordable. The agreement also includes a
licensing arrangement that enables AgustaWestland to market, sell and
produce the Boeing CH-47F Chinook to the United Kingdom, other European
countries and several countries in the Mediterranean region.
 
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is a major force in commercial
and military helicopter markets around the world and offers an
unrivalled range of helicopters, training and support solutions to
satisfy customers’ mission requirements. AgustaWestland's main
facilities are located in Italy, the United Kingdom and the United
States of America.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defence Systems, is one
of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in
innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in
St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion
business with 71,000 employees worldwide.