More Chinook helicopters will be manufactured at Boeing’s Ridley Park plant now that the company has won a $265 million contract from the Pentagon for nine more of the next-generation heavy lift aircraft, writes  Andrew McIntosh for Philadelphia Business Journal.

That brings the number of Chinooks being assembled at the Ridley Park plant up to 24.

There are 4,600 employees who work at the plant supporting H-47 Chinook, V-22 Osprey, and the MH-139A Grey Wolf.

The newest generation of Chinook helicopters feature lighter-weight fuel pods for improved performance and efficiency.

They will give the Army “significantly more capability” for its aviators’ challenging missions.

“The G-Model is a critical asset for the Army, our nation, and the defense industrial base,” said Andy Builta, vice president and program manager for the Chinook.

Boeing’s defense unit is one of the bright spots in the company’s operations in he pandemic, according to Cowen Inc. aerospace and defense analyst Cai von Rumohr.

Among its contracts are $3.1 billion worth of new missiles and $1.2 billion in new F-15 fighter jets.

Boeing even received $84 million to supply two new 747 jets to ferry the president and vice president around.

Read more about Boeing’s new contact here.

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